New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-17
Sending Plea to Harding
by Herrick for Strong
est Republic to Avert
War by Helping Weak
viii Cut Reparation
Bill TO Aid Peace
Feels America Alone Can
o. Halt Plots. Red Menace
and Stabilize Europe
By Wilbur Forrest
e.eelai cable % The Trfbuss

u,day on the liner Paris for a two
months vacation, expects 20 hold i'm
portant conferences with President
Harding and members Of the Cabinet
on the French foreign policy, especially
As it relates 20 Germany.
Tho Tribune learned from French
sources to-day that Mr. Herrick will be
able 70 speak authoritatively not only
IS a friend Of France. but as an advo-
cate OF permanent peace in Europe.
Those who are directing the foreign
policy here feel that because Of their
inability 20 discuss intimately many
,rportant matters with President
Harding and Secretary Hughes the
next best step is 90 accept Ir. Her
Yick's offer 90 act as an intermediary.
French Put Sole Hope in U. s.
The substance Of the Ambassadors
message 20 this country will be that
France deplores the fact that to-day
there is not a single nation in Europe
capable Of exercising sufficient moral
force 20 stabilize the highly dangerous
and irritating political situation on
the Continent. Che conviction here Is
that there is only one country IN the
world capable Of doing this and that
~ is the United States. This refers par
teuarly 20 the relations between
France and Germany.
Feeling in official circles here is that
unless some sort Of procurement
Is developed speedily another ten years
viii see o renewal Of war in Europe.
II is impossible for France to bring
tbout an understanding alone, as her
motives would be misunderstood in
Germany, where any sign of weakness
would tend 20 strengthen the hands OF
those who arc anxious to pay of the
score they feel is owing TO their vic
torious neighbor. II is feared here also
t.t Germany again may fall unoer the
domination Of the monarchists, which
would mean revival Of the old war
spirit and p slump back into reacton-
sry channels.
Pear War OF Revenge
Ever since the assassination OF the
German Foreign Minister, DR.. Walther
R1thcnau, there has been growing
conviction here that a new war OF re-
venco Is being fomented in Germany
The lure Of escaping the enormous
debt with which she is saddled Is alone
considered sufficiently strong 70 gain
tremendous support, even among those
who have set their faces against the
return of kaisorism. The weakening
effect Of Rathcnau's death is felt al
ready, IL is contended, and some power
ful outside moral influence must inter
vene 10 keep republican Germany
saoat. Mr.. Herrick will be able TO
tell the President that France con-
sders the United States the only out
side influence capable Of bringing this
about.
Mr.. Harding and Mr.. Hughes also
will be told, according 10 the same
informant, that France will cooperate
faithfully in any plan that has the
sincere backing OF the government OF
Germany and will, within certain limits,
permit concessions in the matter Of
separations. in this matter It is stated
that the passing Of time is making the
problem Increasingly difficult.
Peace in Republican Rule
The Official who gave this outline
Of the situation adds that any move
by France at this time would only
serve 20 weaken the German republi-
can pos ton, which is considered al
ready greatly enfeebled BY the tre-
mendous difficulties involved IN keep
Ing the country out Of bankruptcy. At
the present stage Of negotiations be
tween the two countries a situation
exists that may lead either 20 peace
OF war. A strong republican Germany
means peace and the healing OF hatreds,
but a sliding back into militaristie
channels means war.
just now Germany Is rampant with
inper.alistic plottings and assassina-
tion societies. The revolutionary spirit,
due to the hard economic lot the
workers are facing, is also at its crest,
and, It is contended here, the time mas
come Tor the strongest republic IN the
world 20 lend moral encouragement 10
those who are fighting against odds for
sane and orderly government IN
Europe.
The foreroing Is a faithful but brief
outline Of the message which Ambassa-
dor HeTr.ck is conveying 10 the Ohl'eu
ytates, the Tribune correspondent is
,sslred by the best official authority
Observers OF European politics, now
Fer, have no difficulty in analyzing the
iotives Of the French policy, wnich
very day is leaning more ana more
tward some honorable rapproche-
.iont 70 is obvious that Great Britain
and France, with widely divergent IN
tercsls. will never be able 70 agree on
o common policy toward Germany
France with her reparation problem
and q war always in the foreground
and England with no special interest
except 90 upbuild British commerce.
German Reactionaries Busy
In the mean time the reactionaries OF
Germany are able % trade on this nat
ural divergence Of interests between
the two greatest powers Of Europe and
are weakening the efforts Of those who
are trying % honor the country's obh-
cations and join in the work Of recon
ttrlction.
Soviet Russia is tied up with Ger
many by the Rapallo treaty, another
demoralizing influence in European
peace. Again tho fasco az The hague
has laid bare the iusiucerity OF the
BolshcvlM when IL protested &C Genoa
that Is great desire was to begin tne
Teconstruction Of Europe. Although ~
els denied By both Moscow and Berlin
that any military understanding exists
between Germany and Russia, It is
easily conceivable that the German
financial crisis and the failure Of Rus.
sia 20 lay foundations for international
loans might easily lead 90 military
coalition Of tremendous strength be-
tween these countries. Russia already
has a well trained army OF prooao,y
. 100000, and 20 this Germany eouI9
add the genius for organization ana
development Of supplies which dlstin-
fuishsd her In tho late war.