Evening star., 1923-01-28


Dental dispatches that a prolonged
war-virtually war OF annihlatior-
is in prospect.
England is standing by watching the
fires Of conflict grow steadily brighter
on the continent. England, II Is con
tended, can make no move without the
United States. She has let 1t be known
in Washington. however. that the
moment this country Is ready to act.
Great Britain will be by her side and
what remains of the moral influence OF
the world then will be in q position TO
bring it's pressure to bear upon the
belligerent nations.
The French occupation Of the Ruhr is
not the only question at issue. Ihe
break between France and England has
removed the last European safeguard in
the near east The Turks are tugging
at their leash. Equipped with modern
French small arms and cannon, trained
under French staff officers, the kemalist
forces Of the Ottoman empire are inn
quently Engiand's position in the east
Is menaced.
Realisation has come to Washing
ton at last that Europe cannot settle
her own quarrels any moro than two
embittered litigants in court could
settle a lawsuit handed down through
the prejudices Of the centuries.
Roosevelt Set Precedent
II a halt Is to be called in Europe,
official Washington has been told,
some disinterested, powerful nation
must act. There is but one such ma
tion-the United States. 1t was point
cd out here yesterday that the United
States did not hesitate to intervene
between Russia and Japan when
Theodore Roosevelt was President
and the Intervention brought what
was regarded In this country as a
seneeless war to a close. Tho peace
conference was held in this country
under the auspices OF the United
States. and the influence OF this coun-
try was q potent ono in the final set
Elements. At that time there was no
cry Of involving tho United States in
the affairs of the far east Russia
and Japan were far removed from the
United States. Tho war In which they
were engaged had little or no effect
upon American commerce or Amert-
can citizens. Yet the good offices Of
this country were offered and ac-
cepted and peace was restored.
In the face of the grave outlook in
Europe, the situation here in Wash
ington is one of apparent doubt and
indecision. 'Irreconcilabls'' threats
from the Senate to attack the admin
istration for even considering a move
in tho European imbroglio, seem to
have had the effect Of silencing both
the White House and the State De-
partment for the time being. The
White House has gone 50 far as to
definitely announce that 1t has no
plan respecting the international sit
uation.
England Ready to Quit.
Thoroughly authenticated dis
that England Is ready to withdraw
from the continent If the United
States does not act. Strong pressure
Is being brought to bear upon the
British government to withdraw the
troops on the Rhine and further to
withdraw her representatives on the
reparatfons commission. England has
hoped to continue as a steadying in
draws entirely from the continent 1t
is believed the flames of war will
burst in many directions, because
France, busy in the Ruhr. can exer-
else no influence anywhere else.
France naturally Is the military
master Of Europe today. No nation
can cope with her at arms. Admin
stration officials made the statement
last week that they did not expect
France to go SO far as she has in the
Ruhr. 1t Is recognized now that only
drastic action by the United States
will do any good. It Is recognized
that the United States would have to
appeal to world public opinion
Many senator's expressed the belief
yesterday that II the United States
would send public, not private. notes
to both France and Germany, the
force Of world opinion would require
them to accept Intervention and medi-
alton. This Is especially true in view
OF the advices that such Intervention
would really be welcomed The
French have a bull by the horns and
no means of letting him go. They
can only do it with outside help. The
Germans, seeing the error In their
ways Of delay and inaction. also are
anxious to have a new chance
Not from Europe alone, but from
our sister countries OF the western
hemisphere. come the word that the
United States alone 10 in a position
to save the situation.
INTERVENTION IS URGED.