The New York herald., 1922-12-15
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1929.
Americas Great Stake in a
Normal Europe.

Holding to her traditional policy
OF keeping out OF foreign entangle-
nents America kept out of the great
war nearly three years.
1t was not till the dark clouds OF
battle hung low over the allied armies
that America threw herself into the
struggle to save a normal Europe
and a normal world.
Reinforced by American troops and
backed by the vast resources of
America the Allies ground down the
enemy armies and forced their capitu-
lation.
Americas stake in that decision is
represented by her thousands and
tens Of thousands of dead soldiers;
is represented by an army of 1000
crippled and wounded soldiers; is
represented by an original outlay of
thirty-five billions of dollars, which
will mount to hundred billions of
dollars before the last cent of war
debt and war expense is paid.
1t has been four years since the
war ended, and all the while the
after war conditions have been get
ting worse. The bungling of the Ver-
sailles Treaty has characterized the
handling Of things generally by the
Allies.
With four years OF tinkering at
rcadjustment since the armistice the
Allies have failed to measure up to
their responsibilities. The reason for
this is that they are too close TO the
situation and are still too strongly
under the prejudices of the war, and
are dominated by their divergent
national interests.
Considered as a whole, the general
condition of Europe to-day is scarcely
less deplorable than 1t was at the
end of armed hostilities. In many
respects II is much worse.
This Is especially true of Germany
and Austria, with their money sys-
TENS wholly broken down, with
poverty gnawing at the soul Of the
people, with the spirit of bolshevism
and kindred isms insinuating itself
into the hearts Of the people and
with no light penetrating the somber
gray Of life. with its cold and hunger
and deprivations.
Austria's situation IS hopeless;
Germany is now a world menace
The Austrians are gentle people,
fading out. There are only six mill
ions OF them, while the Germans
number seventy to eighty millions
forceful, determined people stag
sering under an indemnity which ia
their decentralization and poverty they
couldn't lift in a thousand years.
II is hopeIessly impractical to in
sist on enslaving a race down through
the centuries. a big race, rapidly
expanding. race with courage aud
spirit aud genius for organization,
will not be so enslaved.
The purpose to keep Germany
down, TO keep her in poverty, to keep
her In subjugation so that she can
never again become a military men
ace, Is colossal fallacy. The pur-
suit of this policy has made Germany
an economic menace to all Europe
and TO the world, and is making for
another world connagration. II can
mean nothing else.
The readiustment OF indemnlties
by the Allies, indemnity payments
demanded by the Allies, and the gen
ersi attitude of the Allies on eco
nomic and social conditions. In re
apcct OF the fallen foe--all these,
considered as a whole. show nothing
OF the American attitude. show
nothing OF the American spirit
The truth Is the Allies are now no
nearer TO satisfactory solution of
the after war conditions In Europe