Evening star., 1922-10-27
U. S. SOUNDS SITUATION.
BY PAUL SCOTT MOwRER.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily New
Copyright 1872"

By Gable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright. 1922.
PARIS, October 27-President Hard
ing, according to the writer's informa-
ton, is undertaking, through vari-
Gus official and unofficial representa-
tives, an inquiry based on the sup
posed disposition of the American
people to do something to help the
European situation IL practical means
of SO doing can be discovered.
The Harding emissaries are said to
he asking everywhere: Just what
can we do to help Europe?" The ques-
, ion was raised at the recent meeting
Of American diplomats in Berlin and
is being raised also in other capitals.
The American government. it is de-
rIared, fully understands the gravity
of the new political and economic
crisis with which Europe is threat
ened and hopes that il may be avert
ed. At the same time the idea of the
United States taking part in a gen.
eral conference either in Washington
doned because the present debt fund
ing law ties the governments hands
in any possible general negotiation.
1t is intimated that President Harding
thinks Of summonfng an international
commission of experts to recommend
measures calculated to forestall Ger
many's threatened economic collapse.
but hesitates to take the initiative un-
less he is assured that such sugges-
tion would be really welcome to the
other powers concerned.
Hitherto the United States policy to-
ward Europe has been that Europe should
first put her own house in order" that
is to say reduce ornaments, settle the
reparations question, balance the budg-
cts, increase the taxes. stabilize the cur
rencies and quit quibbling. So far as
getting practical results Is concerned
abroad that this policy is futile. for in
the first place, the United States neg
lects to state exactly what she will do
after Europe has settled her own prob
lens. Because of the American failure
10 ratify the treaty of Versailles and the
French guaranty pact, Europe is skep-
teal Of merely vague assurances.
In the second place there is un-
doubtedly not country In Europe
which would not Immediately proceed
recommends IL it knew how to do so
without endangering the national Sc
curity and independence. Virtually
all Europeans agree that large part
Of their present difficulties are due to
perturbations. caused by the Ameri-
after the world war and the conse-
1uent endangering of the whole peace
settlement. Many Europeans still
look TO the United States for leader
shin. but thus far have heard of no
suggestfons from across the Atlantic
which seem to them worthy of the
Americans' common sense and prac-
1icaJ Ingenuity. Nevertheless. Euro
peans will persist in their efforts to
enlist American cooperation because
they are convinced that It is essential
IN tbe better ordering of the world.
what president Harding's ennis
saries will chiefly find in Europe is
that Europe's idea of what the United
states can best do for Europe is:
Cease the willful isolation; return
into the international commu nifty !;
take part in all great International
negotiations henceforth and without
pretending to dictate promote JUS
lics. fairness and earnest tdealism,