Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-04
Wednesday, January 4, 1922.
RuMoR AND STRAIGHT TALK

Rumor and insinuation are just
now attracting more notice than the
real achievement at the Conference.
The methods ever employed and ever
oiscredited in European diplomacy are
being rcsorted to to becloud the issue.
These are coming to the fore, having
recovered from the paralysis that fell
upon them when Secretary Hughes
frankly told the Conference what this
country wanted and what it would
sacrifice to get It,
France is complaining Of an atmos-
phere OF hostility. But France was
not as frank. If what she wants Is
military ascendancy in Europe and
destruction OF British sea power it Is
rot surprising that she wasn't alto
gether frank. We do not believe that
Is what the French people are seek
ing; II Is doubtful IL frances repre-
sentatives are working to that end,
but they must be aware OF q clique
at home which is, and they may fear
to treat it as it deserves. The French
government may not regard itself re-
sponsible for the declaration Of its
Captain Castex who lately published
an article in which is the following:
THANKS to the submarine. after
many centuries OF effort, thanks to
the ingenuity OF man, the instrument.
the system, the martingale is at hand
which will overthrow for good and all
the naval power Of the British En-
rire."
Now, while the French government
may not endorse this position,
when 1t was published he was chief
OF a naval staff bureau and is now
promoted to the position Of chief of
staff to the admiral of the second
division and one Of his duties Is in
structing officers. Nor does it appear
anywhere that the French govern
ment has disapproved OF his attitude.
Such being the situation it is but
natural that Frances demand for
submarines should be regarded with
some distrust by England. at least.
In view Of all thAe conditions it
Is gratifying that tASsa have been
placed on the records OF the Confer
ence these straightforward words of
Mr.. Root:
I'VE cannot justify ourselves in
separating without some desHration
that will give voice to the humane
opinion of the world upon this SUBJ
ject, which was the most vital, the
most heartfelt. the most stirring to
the conscience and to the feeling of
the people OF all our countries of
anything that occurred during the
late war. l feel to tie depth of my
heart that the man who was respon-
eible for sinking the Lustania COM
mitted an act of piracy. ! know that
all my countrymen with whom have
had inter course feel the same, and
should be ashamed r. go Oh with this
conference without some declaration,
some pronounccment, which will give
voice to the feeling and furnish an
opportunity for the disqualification of
the opinion Of mankind in the estab-
lishment of a rule which will make it
plain to all the world that no man
can commit such an act again with
out being stigmatizcd as a pirate"
There should be great care not to
be unjust to France or to her repre-
sentatives. Politics III that country
are said to be in a torsy- turvy con-
dition and this naturally interferes
with frankness unless one Is found
hlg enough to tell the truth without
fear or favor. David Jayne Hill, who
has opportunity to be conversant
with more OF the conditions than
most Americans declares that France
has been unfairly criticised for its
attitude at the Conference. Franco
bad neglected her navy during the
war and naturally wished to recover
her proportion with regard to Great
Britain. AS to being a menace to
England he ridicules the idea as pre-
posterous and gives good reasons for
his position, though he doesn't ex-
plain what France can really want of
submarines IL she is not to sink ship
ping nor threaten England. Possibly
the German naval officers charge that
France wishes to uss them in con-
veying colored troops from her
African dominions in event Of war is
after all the correct enc.
This much we must not forget:
France is left to protect herself
While 1t is extremely probable Eng
land would 60 to her assistance in
event OF her being unjustly attacked
there Is no assurance that she would
Accordingly it is not strange that
France. feeling that she is left to care
for herself, resents restriction of her
plans.