Evening star., 1923-11-20

With final rejection of the renewe et
Hughes plan to have the experts find
out exactly what Germany can pay
her creditors, editors once again are
divided in their opinions of RESPONSE
bility. There is a somewhat general
disposition to blame the French
policy. But there are also editors who
argue that, after all, the United
States must shoulder some of the
blame. and others who recall that
after all, Germany brought her own
troubles on herself. and that if stu
atoms were reversed she would have lit
tie sympathy TO waste on any one
The surprising development is the
general absence of political bias from
the discussions.
"The pitiful outcome of our one
great and most promising effort a,
diplomacy is the logical fruit of the
cross-purposes at which this govern
ment has been playing with Europe
ing in 1921" suggests the Knoxville
Sentinel Gndependent democratic)
while the Atlanta Journal demo
cratic) suggests Poincare sis not al
together unwarranted in wondering
whether the United States would do
Its part toward general readjust-
nlents. What would be gained if, after
weeks or months of conference, the
Washington government should be
bound by the isolatfonists to policy
of continued inaction?' The Portland
Express (republican), however. in
practically isolated. 1t Is possible that
she can permanently resist the pres
sure of other nations, but it is un-
likely"
France seems impelled to gamble
with reparations," is the contention
of the Chicago Daily News Undepend-
ent), which cites "her unbalanced
budget" as proof. "Her financial
house is not in order. but objection
to definite statements by experts Of
fcially approved cannot prevent the
inexorable economic laws from work
ing out in due time their dreary solu-
tions of impossible situations" This
offer by Secretary Hughes was a dis
interested one" the Mobile Register
independent democratic) insists, and
now that it is rejected. "all the United
States government can do is to await
developments in the hope that an in
vestigation may yet be held with
France participating"
This is also the view Of the Fargo
Forum (republican), which, regret
! ting the French refusal. suggest.
America still must stand by ito throw
its full weight when the proper tim'
comes toward a program of peace ant
rehabilitation in Europe. But it mus
recognize, as the administration doe!
recognize, that it cannot become in
volved in the political quarrels of Eu
rope" Inasmuch as France nov
cent independently contends "whethe
she can hold out against the opposi
ton and moral condemnation of tn,
| rest of the world Is doubtful"
"Why shouldn't other nations con
! cerned in this matter proceed withou
| Dayton News (democratic). "The re
port of this special commission wa
1 not intended to bind any one or al
| nations to any definite pledge. 1t wa
proposed solely to enable those coun
| tries which have been arguing abou
| the German economic situation to b.
| established in their facts relative Il
! the matter. The survey should go on
| and 1t is q safe venture to sugges
| that France, finding herself isolated
I would very soon discover a way t
| work in on the proposition"
| incidentally, the Pittsburgh Gazette
| Times (republican) feels this lates
I development will not weaken Ameri
| can conviction that France does no
want help from this side in restoring
| Europe to a better state so much g.
| She wants cancellation of her debt t,
us and unrestricted power to worl
her political will on the continent.
| The stipulations imposed by Franc
are characterized by the Oman,
World-Herald las an affront at one
| to the intelligence and conscience o
| Christendom.t9T .t9They serve to reveal. IL
stark nakedness. the truth that ha
been persistently charged, and hotl.
denied by the French government