The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-03

Continued from First Page.)
conference. The British thus far
have given pledges in speeches of
their officials and statesmen but
have not been ready to write their
promises into treaty. This, the
French believe, is essential. In the
desire for that guarantee as against
German aggression may be found
the key to French policy at the
Washington conference. So far as
the United States is concerned, It
is not party to the negotiations as
it has been made Enthusiastically
plain to the French that America
will not enter any tri-partite
agreement for the preservation of
a certain resentment in French cir
cles where the argument is made
that If the United States is willing
to enter a four-party treaty to pre-
serve the rights of European and
American nations 1000 miles from
home, what objection can there be
to making of similar entente for
the preservation of peace in Eu-
rope, 5000 miles away. But the
Democrats controlled by the Will
son influence are preparing to fight
the whole idea of special treaties
and alliances and the argument
they will use is best summed up in
Mr.. Wilson's speech at Manchester,
England. in which he said in part:
Quotes Ex-President.
"You know that the United States
has always felt from the very be-
ginning of her history that she
must keep herself separate from
any kind of connection with Euro
pean politics, and to say very
frankly to you that she is not now
interested in European politics.
But she is interested in the part
nership of right between America
and Europe. If the future ha moth
ing for us but a new attempt to
keep the world at right Doise by a
balance of power, the United States
would take no interest, because she
will join no combination of power
which is not the combination OF all.
"She is not interested merely IN
the peace of Europe, but in the
peace of the world"
Although three years have pass
ed since these words were spoken,
the situation has changed very lit
tie. The French were checkmated
then, but are now asking for a bal
ance of power in Europe once
more. Premier BRAND says today:
LET there first be a pact or al
lance between Great Britain ana
France-a pact which We offered
and asked for but have not obtain
ed. Such a pact would be the plat
form on which the reconstruction
of Europe could be started. 1t
would be the best proof that our
naval building program is not and
never can be directed against our
English friends"
Washington Questions.
But in Washington official circles
the question is asked:
against whom would such an
alliance be directed? Is recon
struction best obtained by a re-
vival of the balance of power in
Europe, and will America be bene-
fitted or harmed economically by
such a policy in Europe?"
Ambassador Harvey's instruc-
tions from President Harding are
to listen to the European proposals
and refer them to Washington for
decision. The United States will
lend her moral support to any pro-
ject looking toward economic re-
construction provided it does not
involve America politically.
But where the Europeans are
discussing alliances of power, the
bipartisan coalition in the Amer1-
can senate is preparing to carry to
the American people a program OF
opposition to all treaties which I'M
ply protection to one group OF ma
tions against another and will oner
an alliance of all or none as the
alternative.