The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-01-10
MAY MAKE OFFER
To HELP EUROPE
ADMINISTRATION is TRYING TO
DEVISE PLAN FOR RELIEF
WITHOUT ALLIANCE.
LAW AND THE BALFOUR NOTE
Prime Minister of Great Britain Seem
ingly Does Not lndorse the implied
Criticism OF America as calIous and
Selfish,
BY EDWARD q. CLAIR

SILL uncertain just now Tar the United
States Is willing to go in an attempt
to relieve the anxieties of Europe con-
corning its financial troubles, but it is
known that it Is intended to do some
thing through some means or other.
Probably a communication soon will be
sent by the American administration
to the European governments to the
effect that the United States will do
what 1t can ~legitimately, and without
becoming entangled In alliances, to
'bring something like order out of the
European disorder.
In letters from time to time the writ
er of this has said that signs were
pointing to some kind of a proposition
on the part of the administration look
ing to a relief of the European trou-
bles and with it as a corollary the re-
lief of the world troubles.
Week by week for a month or two
there came from the White House in
timations OF a sincere desire to do
something to help the Old World to be-
come in a way a new world. These in
timations were interpreted by some
men to mean that the administration
was looking to something like an asso-
citation of nations as distinguished from
a league of nations to bring about the
necessary benefcient results, but no
one who has studied the situation in
the United States senate has believed
the present administration would at
tarpnt ta do o-,tbi,- e., Ir,,1ro -.I;oh.
would look like an American entrance
into the European muddle, except an
entrance which from its nature would
safeguard this country from what some
men think would be positive dangers.
Law Endorses Balfour Motel
Again at this writing it seems that
the British prime minister, Bonar Law,
has indorsed the Balfour note which
was put forth under the Lloyd-George
regime in England. 1t will be remem-
bered that the Balfour note raised
something which perhaps may be de-
scribed as "hob," both in England and
in the United States.
Americans saw in one or two para
graphs of the Balfour ote an intima-
ton that this country was entirely
selfish, that while it came into the war
finally and suffered of course for its
entrance, 1t was callous to the suffer
ings of the nations which had borne
the brHnt CT the fighting for cfyffiza=
tion for three long years.
The writer of this article was In
London at the time of the issuance of
the Balfour note. Many Englishmen
applauded the written weed of Lord
Balfour, while others saw in it some
thing like an affront to the United
States and feared the outcome would
be a further alienation of American
sympathy.
1t has been said in the recent cables
from England that Prime Minister
Bonar Law upholds the Balfour note.
This apparently is true only in part,
for what the premier has done is to
sanction that part of the Balfour pro-
nouncement which had to do with the
extremely critical condition in finances
and in other matters in Europe. There
is nothing in what Bonar Law has said
to make it appear hat he upholds the
near statement" of Balfour that Amer
lear citizens are ~self-contained and un-
willing to help solve the world prob
lens.
May Aid Europe Financially.
Today it seems as if there may be
some hope for the solution Of the finan-
cial problems of Europe, not through
what might be called intervention by
the United States but through Amer
lean aid to enable Europe to put it's
finances on q basis that will permit it
to upbuild its industries and its
finances.
Washington seems to think that if
trade relations once can be re-estab-
lished, not only with Germany but with
other countries, trade quickly can be
revived. and because of its revival pros
perity or near-prosperity in the coun-
tries engaged can be restored and
thereafter gradually the world can get
back firmly on old Atlas shoulders.
Washington seems to realize that
continued prosperity in the United
States must depend upon q restoration
of Europe to a condition of financial
stability. Any day now a plan may
be proposed by the American govern
ment. Europe seems to be in a mood
to accept anything on trial. The Dur
tries over there seem to be getting in
a slough of despond from which there
are no apparent mean of ~extrication.
Much Legislation Suggested.
If the country has the impression
that the legislation suggested by the
administration and that suggested by
the "balance of power" Republicans
in house and senate is all the legis-
lation that is being urged for enact
ment at the present congress, it
might take a second thought on the
matter and arrive at a more complete
understanding.
OF course there are some five thou
sand suggestions for legislation which
in bill form are here, there or some
where else in the keeping of the
proper committees and bill authori-
-