Evening star., 1921-01-20
Officials Here See Frank
Warning in Goodness To-
g.
ward New Association.
GREAT POWERS ARE NEAR
DECISION ON INDEMNITIES
Policy of Aloofness Causing Ameri-
can Business to Worry Over
Expansion Plans.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Europe's putspoken attitude toward
realed in the cablegrams of the last
Iwenty-four hours, has made pro-
found impression here upon those who
believed it would be easy work to
scrap the present league and lure
European powers into any interna-
tional organization proposed by the
United States.
What the European correspondents
have suddenly begun sending is no
accidental discovery of the true state
of Europe's feeling, because diplo-
mats here have known that a cool
ness toward the Harding proposals
was springing up.
But what has happened is the be-
ginning of a series of warnings by
Europe to America that. as between
the hard and fast alliance which at
present is so closely interviewer with
the treaty of Versailles, and new
association which resembles The
America to no obligations whatso-
ever. obviously Europe would prefer
her alliance.
The writer finds the Department of
things have taken, for the fear is ex-
against the United States will grow.
and will hurt Americas opportunity
TO do business in foreign markets,
because on every side there will be
discrimination. But in the Depart
ment Of State sits the democratic admin
istration, where the Wiisonian view
point is reflected, SO the true value
of Europe's significant statements
scrapped for an empty association of
nations must be found elsewhere in
Washington.
Europe Feels Angry.
Discussion with the principal rep
resentatives of foreign powers here
confirma the cablegrams of prom
nent American newspaper writer's
abroad, who point out that Europe
wanted Americas help. and would
association Of nations, but was by
no means ready to abandon the pres
ent league. which is q part Of the ex-
listing treaty that ended the Euro
pean war.
All these Developments are read
here in the light of the news that
France, Germany and z&3repe rft1in
are considering an agreement on the
method Of paying in0enn:ties 60 that
an economic unit may be created ON
the continent Of Europe and thus dt-
ninish the requirements Of goods that
might otherwise have been bought
from the United States.
American officials here are doubtful
that France and Germany can agree.
and they see in the story of an eco
nomic understanding between France
and Germany, with respect to the
exchange of ores and coal. simply an
effort on the part Of the French to be
independent of British coal.
While there is still much sympathy
lA1 10 n n
point out that the French are simply
trying to do more than they should
in Europe. Moreover. it is fact that
The maintenance by France OF a
standing army Of $4,000 men IS re-
earded here as an economic waste.
crowd in France will continue to keep
the question Of reparation unsettled
30 that the army may be kept intact.
for there would be no excuse Tor the
army unless there was constant
threat to occupy German territory
terms.
French Army q Club.
Until the indemnity is fixed and
France ceases holding a club over
ALI of Europe with her big army. Of
dciaIs here see little opportunity for
a stabiiiZation of economic conditions
and consequently little chance 1or
America to get SOOU inoucS Aoi Soi
modities she must sell to Europe to
overcome unemployment and un1avor-
able rates of exchange.
The questions are no longer po-
iitical, but economic. and many busi-
ness men who want to see Americas Tor
eign trade expanded fear. that Eu-
rope will not feel kindly toward the
United States because. in tins mo-
ment of serious disturbance. she has
stood aloof seeking all the advan-
taees without mourning any Of the re-
sponsibilities or obligations.
Europe never believed this would pc
forthcoming until the diplomats in
washington began to report their
understanding of Mr.. Hardings new
foreign policy. The reaction has just
started in. If America can get along
without European markets then the
new attitude assumed by the powers
is not to be feared. 1t is declared II
America wants European trade and
an influence in the regulation OF world
commerce and finance the warming
lust sent by the European corre-
spondents will be taken to heart.
pisinterested judgment in Wash
ipgton is that Warren Harding Will
come closer to the present league OF
nations than the irreconciliable group
ever dreamed would be the case, and
that the selection of Charles Evans
Hughes as Secretary OF State is a
step in the direction of more har-
monious relationship with Europe.
rather than pOli ii cal or economic iSo-