Evening star., 1923-02-25

defunct offensive and defensive alliance with
Japan and the establishment OF a definite, but
nevertheless unwritten understanding for the
loyal cooperation between the two great Eng.
disappearing powers, in pursuance OF certain
common end Joint aims in the direction OF
cause OF universal peace. The two powers,
bound together by no written agreement, put
merely by g community OF purpose. form an
Irresistible combination. political. military.
naval and, above all, economic, destined to
cast overwhelming vote in the concert OF
nations, and in this coalition Great Britain
has of her own accord conceded to the United
States the preponderant role and the leader
ship and the initiative, shown many times
of late. and especially last week in the house
of commons debate at Westminster.
That is the record of achievement Of Charles
Evans Hughes since his appointment to tho
Secretaryship of State by President Harding,
to whom alone he is accountable for every
step that he takes and to whom alone he owes
Information about confidential matters affect
ing other governments. In Europe premiers
and foreign ministers frequently deny to their
respective legislatures Information demanded
the subject Of confidential relations with
friendly powers, although these statesmen are
accountable to their respective parliaments
and dependent for their continuance in
office on its vote. In fact an intimation by
the minister concerned that the disclosure of
the Information for which he is asked would
be contrary to public interest and embarrass-
ing to friendly government is sufficient to
silence all further questionings. In America.
however, the questioning is persisted in. and
the failure to communicate to politicians and
to the public generally the information which
they seek Is criticized reprehensible Sc
crecy as sign OF incapacity.
y X x II
Nowhere Is the policy OF President Harding
and Secretary Hughes more thoroughly under
stood and appreciated than in Paris in gov
ernment circles. They know there that Secre-
tary Hughes refusal to intervene at the pres
ent moment Is not due to animosity. but rather
TO friendship. and that the charges here to the
effect that he has abandoned the cause OF
France totally without foundation.
AS mentioned by Premier Bonar Law last
week in parliament, the moment for fnterven.
ton is not yet at hand. Just it would be
pretudicial to France, and would be construed
by her people as an unfriendly course, and as
favorable to their foes the Germans. Secre-
tary Hughes may question the efficacy Of the
measures which the French have adopted. But
he realizes that these measures are justified,
and, indeed, were recognized as such by the
great powers Of the entente as fully warranted
more than year ago, when Germanys pay
ments, due under the head of reparations for
the frightful devastation Of the invaded ter
ritories Of France and Belgium. scaled
down by nearly SO per cent, In consideration
Of punctual payments from thenceforth. These
payments have been defaulted in every par
ticular and France is now taking the meas
ures then agreed to by the powers, for the
collection OF the moneys now long overdue.
AS pointed out by Bonar Law. when the time
comes the Intervention will take place, but
at time chosen by the United States and
British governments. with full regard to the
best interests and wishes Of France. 1t will
take the form OF mediation, and mediators
must always have the consent OF both parties
the conflict which 1t is desired to end. Per-
haps 1t may be added that the relations OF
Ambassador Jusserand with Secretary Hughes
and with President Harding are of the friendly
and most cordial description. The ambas-
sador is fully aware Of the real sentiments
and Of the views Of the Secretary, while It
would be difficult to and any warmer express
sion OF regard. friendship and good will than
that contained In the letter addressed a week
ago by the master of the White House to the
veteran envoy OF France the occasion Of
the twentieth anniversary of his arrival in the
United States ambassador.