Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-14
AMERICA IS looked
TOFOR EXPRESSION
Of DEF FINITE STAND
No Foreign Discussion Of
Reparations Held Possible
Without Uncle San-AII Of
Allies Are Anxious
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ucascd WI Service to The Journal.)
jCODyright 1920

| Ucascd WI Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13-The rep
aration problem which for four years
has kept Europe in state of appre-
hension has been deposited for set
Element on the doorstep of the White
House.
| The deadlock in the conference of
premiers at London, with the deci-
sion to have another conference in
January, means that Europe still
hopes the United States will lend a,
helping voice, if not hand, in bring
ing the nations together on a work.
able program.
| Try as the American government
may under this administration, as
under the preceding one, to regard
the PREPARATION question as separate
and distinct from the matter of al,
lied war debts to the United States,
the practical side of the matter re-
veals how i::serarable the two really
are.
Great Britain is trying to appease
French sentiment by proposing
cancellation of British debt in ex-
change for an agreement on Frances
part to accept a lower reparation
from Germany. And, when that
cycle of negotiation begins, it usual
ly ends with the barrier of Ameri-
cas- debt; on the adjustment of
which no authoritative word has
been spoken by any one, not even
the funding commission appointed
by act of congress.
Scales Evenly Balanced
If the United States would only
discuss the question of reparation
and war debt and express an opin.
ion,s nsr moral influence would 40
far toward compelling a settlement.
The scales are evenly balanced.
America can throw her weight in
any direction and force her own
viewpoint. Europe is ready to listen
to American proposals, not alone
''~''''0S 'i0y CplIle from nation
detached from European controver.
sizes OF political and economic ma.
ture, but because America is a cred.
itor nation with immense fipanc,o,
power.
In the background also is the land
armament situation, which is keep
Ing Europe on edge and draining
the budgets of all the powers on the
continent. ~.
Inc United States is still waiting
Tor France to ratify the naval dis.
armament treaty
Although it is denied here that
the development of American policy
toward Europe has any relation to
the delay in the French parliament
IN ratifylng the treaties negotiated
at the arms conference here a year
ago, the practical effect of the de-
lay is about the same thing.
America will not consider taking
a more active part in Europe while
France blocks the way on something
which was and is vital to the Har-
ding administration-rati of
Its first big international action.
Clemenceau's Visit
Former Premier Clemenceau's visit
q
troversial atmosphere, but, until the
government OF Premier Poincare
shows the same fleXibility in policy
as did M. Clemenceau in personal
contact with America, there will be
little chance of convincing the Har-
ding administration that even q
slight departure from it's policy of
seclusion will be of any avail at this
time.
Were France to manifest more
tractable attitude, there is no telling
what progress might be made to-
ward winning the cooperation OF.
President Harding and Secretary
The insertion by the president in
his recent message of a direct hint
that America would like to see the
principle of the four-power pact APP
piled to Europe was not an accident.
1t had a purpose. No one will adj
NIT that it was an overture to
France, the expression Of a hope
that France would ratify the naval
arms treaty and open the way to
| further steps in international con-
ference with America included.
! But that is the meaning attached
to it by most of the diplomats who
have cabled their foreign offices
about it. And they think it is one OF
the most significant steps that has
been taken by Mr.. Harding since
| the arms conference met year ago.
The ambition of the Harding adj
ministration, of course, is to full
fill the pledge made for some kind
of nations or place for the alleged Z
er-government of the League of
Nations.
The latest development is the idea
! of making a five-power or siX-power
pact in Europe to include the United
| States, Germany, Great Britain
France. Italy and probably Belgium
to bind themselves mutually to re.
spect each others rights.
Such a guarantee by France, that
! it would respect the territorial in
tegrity of Germany and an assurance
that the Germans would be commit
| ted against an invasion of France,
would not carry with it an obligation
upon the six powers to take sides il
! the treaty were violated, but would
| mean an instant conference wherein
-r""al suasOn would be applied, to-
| gether with the prnicple of investi-
cation.
Mr.. Harding's chief idea on inter-
national affairs is the Bryan idea OF
resting agreements on moral rather
than physical force. .kt