Evening star., 1922-09-24
Urges ,Franco-American Pact
I To- Remove Fear Of Germany

the indemnity. He did not hesitate
to express his fear that future
war would arise between the two
countries unless different atti-
tude 10 developed and maintained.
No one imagfnes that Germany
can pay the full indemnity in
gold. There is none to be OBJ
tanned. But 1t is easy to COM
prehend how Frenchmen. who
worked for thirty years to pay
Germany. are sensitive over the
efforts Of the German government
to be relieved from tho payment
Of the present indemnify.
D.. One of the first things. that is
needful. In the rehabilitation Of
Europe is a new CLEAN Of common
sense upon the part Of Germans.
1t Is no particular disgrace to
have been wrong. but when the
wrong has been pointed out con-
tinuance OF the same course OF
conduct 10. 'inexcusatle. Germany
and France sheuld. come. together
on some sort of an economic un-
derstanding. Germany should
frankly admit the error Of the
miiitaristic state Of minds should
form of government and SHOULD
seek friendly political and COM
mercial relations with France.
That France would meet her. In q
proper spirit. I have no doubt. SO
great Is her dread and fear that
the future may bring more wars.
that she would welcome anything
that contained q measure OF So
curity against wars recurrence.
The statesmen Of France would
; be wise enough. believe. to
demnity, II, with It's reduction,
there could come a frank expla-
nation of the casises Of the great
war, q sincere desire to prevent
recurrence and honest efforts to
cultivate social and economic
friendship: So long as'these two
nations either hate or fear each
other, there 10 not much nope Tor
early restoration OF normal con-
ditions in continental Europe.
And now in the light. Of things
az L saw them. what Is my In
preston as to the duty Of Amer
lea? For the most part my prin-
ciples seem TO be only notices
to hang upon the walls of time.
They are always facing. condi-
tions. which cannot. be. met and
consequently pust be turned to
the WALL; l. am not convinced.
however, that the American peo-
Pile have lost all sense Of moral
obligation for the. results that
Aow through tho world out of the
conclusion of the great war.
believe that consistently with
their own best interests they
would be willing to do anything
they might safely do to- bring
France and Germany.
am quite satisfied that the, fears
of France would be at once re-
moved If the American Senate
would ratify the treaty negotiated
by President Wilson. promising aid
to France in the event that Ger
many again invaded her territory.
/ am sure that If President Hard
ing would negotiate. a new ty tresty
whereby France and America
pledged themselves to. come to tho
aid of each other, in the event OF
attack by Germany, this would re-
move the fear of the French. peo-
pie. True. this is opposed to an
cient American doctrine. It would
be an entangling alliance, and much
as regard the fear and sufferings
of France. could not find it. in
my mind to propose it II were
not satisfied that nothing but good
would come of 1t. The Monroe
doctrine has maintained It's virflity
for a hundred years. Never has an
American. been called upon TO de-
fend it. although at any time
American boys might have been
transported to Central or South
America in its defense, Its bare
statement was sufiicieM. I
bistasteful as these ahiancez are,
the naked fact that we had prom
ised to come to the aid Of France
in the event of German invasion
would prevent invasion. France
could disband her army, which
necessarily Is an irritant to the
people of Germany. 1t would be a
long step toward the better under
standing between the French and
German peoples and a splendid
move toward tho restoration" Of
friendship and trade.
conrriSht 1922 nv Thomas R. Marshall.