The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-07
UNDERWOOD ON EUROPE

UndOuDteQly the most penetrating and statesmanlike report that has been brought back from Europe in recent months by visiting public men is de- livered by Senator Underwood. The distinguished Alabamian does not per init himself to be deceived by surface indications, and, instead of assuring us that everything is all right, he faith fully points out the dangers that ap- pear to him existent. In the first place, MT. Underwood discovered that Europe is a network of enmitlcs that contain the threat of war, the chief reason there is no war being lack of financial ability to wage one. The jealousies are there; the unrest is there, and the agents of war are not lacking.
 In this connection Alabamas senior senator expresses the strong convic- tion that the latest court as proposed by President Harding would be futile as a real, effective force in compos- ing Europe's difficulties. He points out that the present court, reinforced as it is by the authority of the league, has no such effect, and he does not believe that the voluntary and lack adaisical connection proposed for the United States would materially strengthen the courts authority over L sanction, and who, after all, are the nations constituting the chief menace to Europe's peace and stability.
 MT. Underwood makes the remark able statement that if the United States would assure France that it's boundaries would not be crossed by a hostile army, she would begin to with draw her troops from the Ruhr within sixty days thereafter. It is not doubted by many other informed per sons that the ratification by our sen- ate of the tri-partite treaty guaran- teeing protection to France would have prevented much of the trouble and discussion and delay, to say noth- ing of the belligerence, attendant upon the collection of reparations. Our treaty with Germany was in effect our withdrawal from all responsibility in connection with a situation in which we had a responsibility, even though that treaty specifically recognized the stipulations of the Versailles treaty as between Germany and the Allies. Our separate treaty was sort of ground wire which carried off the current before it reached us.
 Doubtless at later date MT. Un- derwood will outline his views as to what policy this nation should adopt to better conditions. Our obligation to do so has become a necessity, ac- cording to the senator's statement. for the chaotic conditions there exist ing may break out into another war flame in which we might become in volved in spite of ourselves. Inasmuch as the statement intimates that much of the unrest is economic and indus trial, it is inferred that Senator Un- derwood presages foreign policy that would be helpful in restoring business, trade, industry and commerce abroad. Being idle and without property or industrial adherence, many foreign peoples are restless and easily pro- voked to war. There is no more calm ing sedative than home, a job, an income, and the hope of better things that such possessions indicate. Per haps we can best avert war by seek ing to promote the arts of peace in every land where such influence is needed. Such a policy, sensibly and wisely followed, would not only serve the purpose of composing the ele- ments of war, but would rebound greatly to our material profit through the increased purchasing capacity of the world and the consequent demand for our own surplus products.