Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-23

Washington, Jan. 22-French policy
in the Ruhr was attacked as ruth
less militarism," a violation Of the
armistice terms and the treaty Of
Versailles and an "offense against
humanity" in a statement issued to-
night by Senator Borah Of Idaho. a
Republican member Of the Senate
foreign relations committee. Senator
Borah also criticised the state de-
partment in what he said was its
policy Of silence and inactivity and
declared the United States should at
least declare it's attitude by for
mally protesting against the French
policy.
This is a situation" said Senator
Borah, Gin which the United States
cannot with honor remain silent"
1.-THE first duty of a nation is to
protect it's life when assailed and its
highest honor and glory in victory is
to be just a fallen foe. 1t is this rule
which distinguishes the savage from
the civilized nation.
1T was American principles an
nounced by President Wilson upon
which the armistice was signed and
it was upon these principles that
Germany laid down her arms.
1T was our soldiers that made pos
sible the defeat and disarming of Ger
many.
According to these announcements
and principles, we declared fhcially
and many times that with the German
people, as people, we had no quarrel,
hut a feeling of sympathy and friend
ship. In other words, we furnished
the soldiers, the principles upon which
the armiStice was based which resulted
in disarming and rendering Germany
helpless, and we also made definite and
certain pledges as to the treatment OF
Germany. After all that takes place
and at a time when Germany has been
: disarmed and rendered powerless, her
I territory is invaded, military rule is
established all of which will bring in
| it's wake indescribable suffering and
untold misery to the German people. as
a people, and in addition to that. great
| financial and economic loss to our own
] people.
I'm other words, we see the German
people turned over to the most destruc-
tive and ruthless method of militarism.
of arbitrary power and We do not SO
much even as record our protest. Ger
tainly we cannot be silent under such
circumstances.
1--WE did not even, as a matter OF.
fact, suggest to France in a way. that
France felt bound to take notice,
any plan whatever. We remained
silent and inactive and without =
policy or a program when the inter-
est of humanity and the most vital
economic interests of our people
called for us to make pronounced
and unmistakaDle effort to bring the
powers concerned into a conference
for adjustment of the questions in
volved. But certainly it ought not
to be permitted for the world to look
upon us as conniving at this program
by our silence. 1t is wholly different
from a case in which we had no
part in the war or in the conflict.
We should declare our attitude, our
position, and make our protest.
THE action of France is in my
judgment. without authority under
the Versailles treaty. 1t is def
ance of international order and
peace. It is an offense against hu-
mainly. What she is doing will not
bring compensation but it will bring
supreme suffering, not only to the
Germans. but to the people through
out Europe and incalculable loss to
our own people,"