The Washington herald., 1922-08-27

ID e. 3 .
restraint from England. has de-
stroyed all hope Of peacefully re-
viving Europe on a. broader basis
of fraternity between the nations.
That dream, like many others. Is
now dispelled by present states
manship.
! cannot find II In my heart TO
blame France alone for this tragic
decision. Poincare. In spite of a
narrow obstinacy and ruthless dis
regard OF economic laws. not car
ing whether Germany should coll
lapse or not provided France should
be paid. had this unanswerable ar
gument, that so long as the inter-
allied debts remain on the books
France would be ruined II Germany
escaped her penalties.
Did Not Answer Question.
Why should the financial collapse
of France be preferable to that OF
Germany? Lloyd George did not
answer. that question, Personally
think It was right he should re-
fuse to sentence Germany to
economic death that would lead also
to the downfall of Europe and all
kinds OF anarchy and. later assured
ly a. new war.
But Germany could only he re-
Iieved 10 France was assured OF
financial relief and an offer came
from Lloyd George on either OF
these two points. II was utterly
necessary in honor and common
sense to satisfy France by a gem
erosity equal or more than equal
to that ma gna nimous treatment OF
Germany. The only way out was to
wash out French Indebtedness TO
England. to insure France of mill
tary aid in case Of u future war or
aggression.
Thar was an enormous sacrifice
for England to maHe. almost too
great in view cf what happened be-
fore b,,t IL was worth while to save
Europeau civilization. 1T is the only
plan. Nothing else will save the
situation which Is full Of peril for
the whole world. II is madness TO
ignore the pert. This holiday max
in-. spirit. this summer sunshine.
this apparent peace in Europe hide
forces moving to tragic, terrlo'e
things. If the entente cordiaie Is
killed and there is now a fierce
passion rising in French hearts
against England there will be new
activity among the militarists.
Wi, Demand War Machines.
Aeroplanes and submarines, In
greater numbers to crowd tho seas.
will be demanded by British
politicians in order to catch up with
the French lead. italy and Relgium
will be inspired to similar activities.
Chemists will get busy with poison
gas. Germany will bide her time.
looking to England for support. TO
Russia for armaments.
More dangerous than all that Will
he the resurSence of the revo:u-
tionary spirit. The communists will
make an alliance with all that
pacifist sentiment which Is strong
in all countries. even In France.
and using the cry. mo more war.
which Is the rallying motto of mil
lions of people OF innocent idealism.
will rear up revolt against the gov
ernments engaged in defensive and
aggressive policies.
The death of the entente cordiaie
will smash the peace of Europe by
the old evils of national
antagonism, by arranging a new
of hostile powers.
There Is only one chance to
escape from all that. still cling to
IL as a last hope. II b the over
throw OF our present craftsmanship
In Europe by new leaders appointed
by the people who will not suffer
these things to happen, and who
will rise against them with indigna-
tion, and who will bring about a
new reign of democratic progress
for which millions hoped not long
ago.
Copyright, 1877