The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-02-03
GLAD FRANCE
IS DISPLAYING
BETTER SPIRIT
Sarraut Seeks to Allay Hos
tility Aroused by Acts of
Former Spokesman - Re-
gain Lost Ground.
ATTITUDE IS CHANGING
ny MARK SULLIVAN


ference this week. France made a |
better impression than at any time
since the conference began.
NJ. Sarraut is an unpretentious man.
He is less impressive both in dramatic
appearance and in public fame than
either of the other two Frenchmen
who have been the spokesman for
France in the conference in the past
NJ BRAND and M. Viviani
Nevertheless, NJ. Sarraut made an
exceptionally happy impression, a fact
which is the more remarkable consid-
ering that M. Sarraut nad 10 pear the
handicap of the feeling against France
which has arisen in Washington and
the county during the past six or
eight weeks-a feeling that has been
close to universal.
NJ Sarraut in his speech referred
frankly to this adverse feeling on the
part of America and acted with dig
nifty under it. In listening to M.
Sarraut's speech, which came towards
the close of the session, ! found my
self regretting that in the earlier part
of my description of the same ses-
sion, when | was explaining why the
conference had fallen short of what
might otherwise have been a 100 per
cent success, | had. in pointing out
Frances responsibility for the holes
left in the agenda, used words which
took it for granted that her motives
had been most unpleasantly selfish.
Assumption Universal.
1t is true this assumption is almost
universal Even the apologists for
France have said, by way of justifica
ton, that if she could get from Great
Britain the sort of agreement that she
wants, she would be willing to go fur
ther along the complete programme of
what Hughes proposed.
Nevertheless the attribution of mo-
tive to anybody is one of the most in
exact and least useful forms of critic
ism. If we are dealing in motives at
all, probably we should admit that
Frances chief motive is fear, and fear
is always selfish.
OF course, America is not going to
change its present feeling about
France merely because of q single
speech. But if that speech reflects a
realization on the part of France how
ever belated, of responsibility for hav-
ing made impossible a considerable
portion of Americas great experiment
in idealism, and if it foretells change
of attitude for future, America should
meet it generously, there will be other
conferences after this Washington
one, France exists. She is one the
family of nations; and if she is dis
posed to make it less difficult to get
along with her. that disposition should
be welcomed wholeheartedIy
Feeling Damaging to France
The degree of adverse sentiment
toward France that has grown up in
America is very damaging to her and
has alarmed her leaders. The flow
Of charity from America TO France
threatens to be interrupted. Ameri-
cans who are engaged in maintaining
French war-Orphans have threatened
10 abandon their benefaction The
dependence which is put upon Ameri
ca for the restoration of parts OF
France. through scores of familiar
forms of organized charity is threat
ened. Ambassador Jusserand, the 9th
or day. spoke in a state of obvious
alarm over the letters he is receiving
II there was an element of wounded
pride in Frances insistence on the
again we are in the uncertain field,
of attributed motives-but if there
were an element of pride. that need
hardly be surprising. A hundred
years ago, when France was in the
Eeight of her glory. America was
what France probably regarded as
few million colonial rough-necks.
As late as fifty years ago. Japan wa,
nation with France probably regard
Cd as being as unimportant as Sian
or Swat. today, in an international
conference, America and Japan out
rank her And these two. tOgethe
with Great Britain. proceed to par
eel cut the navies of the world, a.
if France were little more than
ragged orphan Annie at the party
At this point, of course, France in
dulges herself in that most seductive
torn of self-deiusiOn-name self-pity
She blames her decline in historic
rank wholly on the sacrifices she ha:
made in war. That isn't altogether
correct. The smalness of the numbe
of children she has been willing Il
bear and rear should have some par
Of the blame. When France and Ger
many fought in 1920. each had 40, 900.
500 people When they fought again
in 1914 France was still at 10000, 00t
but Germany had gone up to 10000, ,00O
Is Big Subject
However, all this matter of France
is a big subject. With many complex
ties 1t is matter for more adequat,
treatment in a less hurried way
The chief motive of the present art
Gle is to balance in some degree harsl
things that were said about France il
a previous article and TO call attentio,
10 the obvious change in the official al
titude of France, as indicated by N
Sarraut's closing speech at the pier
arv session this week.
His assent, on behalf of France, I
so much of the Hughes plan as Franc
had permitted to come into being, Wa
convincingly and attractively earnes
And further than this, there was
his manner and words the suggestio
i of a more placable attitude in the fl
ture relations that we can not avoi
having with France in the course {
other conferences and attempts at il
ternational agreements.
Copyright, 1922, by New York Ever
ing Posto