New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-14
Assurance for France
No Fear Of Germany if America and
Britain Pledge Aid

10 the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In order to fairly judge the at
titude assumed by France in regard to
submarines we should try to put our
selves in her place and briefly review
the situation as it stands to-day.
Twice, without the least justification
or excuse, France has been overrun,
robbed and devastated by a much more
powerful ncighbor, and the flower of
her manhood slaughtered and crippled.
When at last her ruthless foe was
overcome with the help of the Allies
and ourselves, and the time came for
imposing terms on Germany, France,
by the advice of her military authori-
ties, as a necessary measure Of safety,
demanded the Rhine boundary. This
our representative strenuously OBJ
jccted to, and thcreupon, upon his
promise, agreed to by the British, that
IN case France were again wrongfully
attacked by Germany VIC and they
would go TO her rescue, France yielded,
and the present boundary was agreed
upon.
France having thus yielded at our
request, arc we not in honor estopped
from refusing to keep The promise
which induced her to yield? 1t would
seem So even if any risk for us were
involved; but there is none
(,orn,oOv 1,on1J
circumstances, venture to invade
France again with such an agreement
outstanding, and were it in force
France would not only at once heavily
reduce her army, enabling her to meet
her indebtedness, but could and would
cut down her estimate for the sub
marines necessary for her security. The
stabil'zing effect of such an agreement
would not only greatly benefit the
slgnatory powers, but would extend to
all the countries still at war.
Such an agreement would not be a
much dreaded "entanglng alliance"
An entangling alliance is one that binds
two countries to support each other
and fight for each other under any and
all circumstances. What France asked
was not an alliance, but simply a
promise that in case she were again
wantonly attacked by Germany we
would get behind her.
France has been told unofficially in
offhand fashion: ooh, if Germany as
sails you again, Of course we will de-
fend you, as we did this time" If we
were in her place, with the leaders of
Germany already teaching the rising
generation that all that has been taken
from them must be regained, would
we be satisfied with such vague safe
guard? Would we not feel that we
must maintain every means of defense
to the limit of our power? Would we
not expect and deserve great considera-
ton, even if wc were overapprchcnsive
Of danger?
Great Britain, it is understood.
stands ready to enter into such an
agreement for single purpose, not an
alliance, whenever we will. Why do
we stand aioof when it may result in
wrecking all hope for any really valu-
able results from the conference? 1t
appears to be from political timidity,
not to say cowardice; the fear of both
parties that "entangling alliance" may
be hurled at them, and that the people
will not approve such an arrangement.
/ believe they would. Try them; they
have never had chance to say. Show
them what the beneficial results must
be and that the agreement would in
volve no possible risk to the country
or them, and they will gladly assent
to it. | have taken every opportunity
to talk with people, men and women. in
varied walks Of life, on the subject,
n.