Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-02
pEvsLoeMENrsLAr GENOA


the newspaper men at Genoa that he |
believed the disorganization Of Eu-
rope would affect the entire world. |
He said he vas amazed that people |
did not understand this. that unless |
Europe may be recognized he was
confident that IN his own life. GER
tainly within the life OF the younger
men present. Europe would welter
again in blood. I'VE triumphed in
the war. hut our triumph will not
las. forever. II our victory develops
lntA oppression. vengeance will fol-
low, Just as Germany's action which
r,arted the world war was followed
by vengeance"
Desperate conditions require des-
pcrats measures. It is pretty GER
tain the conditions were desperate
when the British premier gave out
this Interview. On Sunday the Pope
addressed a letter TO the peoples Of
the world urging efforts for true pa
eiHcatlon. Among the people with
which this must inevitably have great
influence are the French people. Was
II 10 their attitude toward Germany
that Lloyd George referred on We'd
ncsdav when he spoke of oppression?
The French premier has given notice
that he will stand on Interpretations
and expects the support of the Allies
in exactinE them. II those repara-
iions are unjust then those who made
them and those who afterward sof-
tened them are entitled to discredit.
We may not know much about the
situation hut We learn on good au-
thority that Germany isn't taxing
her people as the Allies are taxing
their peoples; We learn that vast en-
torprises are being Matched and the
promoters are evidently reaping huge
revsrds. We learn that Germany is
defiant because she showed it IN her
treaty with Russia. Knowing these
things il is difficult to feel any SYM
pathy with the German nation, as
people. however lenient we might feel
toward individuals that were not in
flucntial IN bringing on the war but
who now are forced 10 suffer conse-
aucnces. All in all, however, there
isn't much about the German situa-
ton as II appears In all the various
channels OF information that would
tend 20 prove that France IS unjust
But is her course expedient. will 1t
help get back 10 normal or will 1t
the very thing which must be avoided
n the world Is TO have peace even for
few years? The reports from
Genoa indicate that France is being
convinced she must yield somewhat
IN her position, however Just It may
be.
Mr. Gompers speaking against
Wiki in Russia declares THE truth
Is that predatory international A.
nance has It's appetite up and be-
lieves IL sees loot in Russia" In a
measure this may be true. but what
about British labor which Is clam
oring for the recognition? It may be
true as he says that American An
rle-German financing combinations
have set their faces toward the prize
displayed by the people on their
knees. Bolshevik propaganda has
been organized exactly along the
lines Of pre-war European intrigue,
overlooking nothing that went to
make up the old international Ger
man and Russia espionage system"
Now Mr. Gompers has facilities for
knowing about the propaganda, but
ne Is inclined 70 exaggerate. We
have felt that America should not
recognize the assumed government
in Russia. II II can be proved, how
ever, that in this way only may q
condition be reached under which
the people Of Europe may begin to
Notwithstanding open to reason
able doubt-recognition becomes
matter OF serious and careful consid-
Grafton. notwithstanding the con-
scienceles, influences undoubtedly at
work. Meanwhile our insstence that
the question OF reparations should
he settled Is one to continue. With
out such settlement the future of
peace will be dismal indeed.