The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-23
CLEMENCEAU'S
SPEECHES FRET
U. S. OFFICIALS
tcontinued from First Page,

has already accomplished one OBJ
ject-he has stirred up foreign
questions anew. and focused atten-
ton on them. There have been
signs that European matters would
be forced to the front anyhow by
that grohp of international cooper
ationists in the Republican and
Democratic parties who believe the
plight of Europe is inseparably
interviewer in the prosperity of
America and the future of our ex-
port trade, particularly agricultur-
al products.
+ Hints have been coming from the
White house that the calling of an
economic conference Of all the
principal powers was under con-
sideration. The only thing that has
been holding such step back has
been the fear that economic and
political questions would become
hopelessly entangled. America re-
fused to enter the Genoa confer
ence for that reason and has indf-
Gated to Europe that a separate
economic conference would meet
the approval of this government.
Argument Is Old.
M. Clemenceau's visit comes at a
time when whatever is done on the
subject of an international confer
ence will have to take into account
the existing international disputes
in american politics on foreign re-
lations. The former French pre-
mier is making no new argument.
incidentally, but he is making more
effective use of old arguments than
any FrenchmanN has made
Looking back over the years
since the armistice. every French
spokesman has argued for guaraI-
tees and assurances against Ger
man invasion and has given that
as the main reason why France,
burdened with debt, cannot give up
such military expenditure as she
deems necessary for national safe
ty. The United States government
and other nations have insisted
that before there can be any re-
adjustment of wF debts disarm-
ament was necessary to permit the
balancing of budgets. France has
opposed disarmament and M. Gle
menceau, like Premier BRAND, who
came to Wa.N ington a year ago,
asks for a triple alliance between
the United States, Great Britain
and France as guarantee against
German invasion. NJ. BRAND spoke
in French and while his speeches
were carefully translated and wide
ly published they were made mo;e
as a matter Of explanation of
French policy with respect to land
disarmament than as direct ap-
peal for modification Of the
merican attitude.
Asks Policy Change.
M. Clemenceau is deliberately ap-
pealing for change in American
policy. 1t might be thought that
he wants American entrance into
the League of Nations. He didn't
favor the league in the first place
and only agreed to il on President
would not join any alliance which
is not an alliance of all nations.
M. Clemenceau asked President
Wilson to submit the triple defen-
sive treaty as matter OF good
faith because the French premier
hoped the congress would differ
with Mr.. Wilson. The truth is the
followers of Mr.. Wilson were never
enthusiastic about the triple alli-
ance, but M. Clemenceau has seen
America under the presidency Of
Warren Harding joining a quad
ripple alliance for the common de-
Tense of the Pacific and he cannot
understand why the United States
will not do a similar thing IN Eur
ope, where her interests, materially
at any rate, are just now even larg-
er than in the far east.
Won't Gel It
TIE changes III American policy
have been difficult to understand
abroad but Al Clemenceau has de-
termined 10 see Tor himself and to
argue the cause Of France "a the
broad sense. Vile ii is true ne
has severe critics in France who
differ with him as to the wisdom of
many of his acts of administration,
there is absolutely no doubt that
on the matter of defensive treaty
to protect France against a German
invasion he has the united support
Of all elements in the French gov
eminent and the enthusiastic back
ing of the French people. In fact,
he could ride into Office tomorrow
even at his advanced age if he could
return to France with assurances