San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-07

deavor TO push her claims in torceful
manner.
This situation is to be profoundly re-
GREETED by alf lovers of peace throughout
the world After the horrors of the re-
cent war everybody is sick unto death OF
the fighting proposition. 1t will be at
least two generations before the world
will be ready for another war. That is,
it will be at least that length of time be-
fore any nation that can keep out of war
will be even willing to consider the adj
visibility of going into one.
There is little doubt that the British
were more correct than wrong in their
recent doings with the Turk in front OF
Constantinople, but, for all that, the
thought OF another war, just now, was
more than the British nation could stand
and the downfall of the government re-
suited, more because it had acted in way
that made war possible than for any other
reason. And it must not be forgotten that
Great Britain has never been in the habit
of turning her back upon fight. Just
at present, however, her finances do not
permit of the expense OF another war and
her people, who are taxed almost to the
limit OF their ability to pay, are not de-
sirous OF adding to burdens which are al
ready so heavy.
AS for the attitude of France, it seems in
some ways to be unwise. She seems to
be anxious to get money while at the
same time she takes measures that make
it more and more difficult for the Ger
mans to make the money TO pay her.
Neither the Germans nor any other peo-
pie can pay money if they are not per-
mitted to make money. That is an ele-
mentary proposition that it seems to
France is disposed to ignore.
On the other hand, the situation of
France must be taken into account. She
is right up against a neighbor, geographic
cally speaking, in which she has not the
slightest confidence. She does not feel
that she can take the word of Germany
for anything and the world cannot great
ly blame her for that feeling. Ever since
the invasion of Belgium the good faith
of Germany has been below par in the
eyes of the world at large. France suf-
fered horribly during the war and num-
erous promises that have been made to
her regarding payment for the devasta-
ton Of her lands have not been kept. No
man, no people, can be .censured if it
grows impatient after time, because OF
continued broken promises. Unprejudiced
people who have visited Germany since
the war declare that Germany does not
see why she should pay money to France
and has not the slightest intention of do
ing so if She can avoid it. Apparently, &C
.cording to these reports, Germany does
not consider herself bound by the terms
Of the treaty Of Versailles which she will.
ingly signed. She could have gone or
fighting if she preferred to do so. She
chose to sign almost anything rather than
continue the war, but, having accepted the
treaty, she must live up to its terms.
This is the way in which France rea.
sons and no fault can be found with it
The trouble, however, arises in the fac
that France may not be as willing to fol
low the line of expediency as are Other
nations that were party to the treaty Of
Versailles.
However these things may be, there
can be no doubt that the world will hear
with very deep regret that adjustment
and reconciliation seem to be as far of
as they have ever been.