Evening star., 1923-02-25
Would Be Merciful to Germany,
But Not at Expense of France

would weigh 500 pounds. Should
such reasoning settle the foreign
affairs OF America
\ + X 4
People as well as governments
soon forget. Sentiment has but
little effect upon business. How
ever, all have not forgotten the
storm of disapproval that broke
in America over Germany's breach
Of neutrality and the entry Of her
troops into Belgium. II has not
passed from all minds that inno-
cent men and women went to
watery grave when the Lusitania
was Bubmarined. Some OF US were
less heated than others at the time
off as rapidly. recognized war
was hell. did not Join those per-
fervid orators who shrieked about
the Hun. never used that word.
recognized then, as Insist now.
that horrors Of the war were the
education of the German people
for forty years. I did not look
askance at every man in this
country who happened to have
German patronymic His sole meas
ure Of patriotism for me was his
adhesion to his government In her
hour OF need, not his name.
At the close OF the war opinion
was almost universal that In ac-
cor6ance with the law OF life, the
Just would have to suffer with the
unjust. You may talk about IL as
you please. but you cannot escape
this law. The mothers heart iS
broken by the hanging Of her son.
The wife Is the real sufferer when
the vicious husband goes 70 prison.
The German people are suffering
for the wrongs Of their leaders.
The treaty OF Versailles fixed the
obligation Of the German people TO
the allies. I do not pretend to say
that its terms were Just They
may have been cruel, harsh. unjust.
The treaty may have left Germany
IN a state Of servitude and bond
age. We should deal Justly with
Germany, even mercifully, but in
80 doing we must not deal unJustly
with one Of our ancient friends.
From tho moment that tho treaty
was signed there has been con-
slant complaint that the German
people could not and should not
live up TO It's terms Even men
who helped make the treaty have
so complained. Experts who gave
advice on compensation and repa-
ration have helped to upset what
was done. My objection is not TO
tho German or any other who at
the time thought the conditions
were cruel. but TO those connected
with the negotiations who con-
sented to the treaty and now de-
sire TO break Il.
Let US not forget that Great
Britain took good care to procure
everything that the treaty allowed
ested In the economic condition OF
Germany. II the British Empire
rs really anxious to assist in the
rehabilitation OF Germany, she
might sell her some merchant ves-
sells. and she might restore sore
from her. Let US not forget that
scared little France IS holding the
bag Of the treaty OF peace. Like
my government, I forget the past
except when Il IS reedfCl 70 call Il
up for Justices sake. I am WILL
ing 70 wipe It out and help to
bring IN an era OF peace and pros
dent thereto. insist that America
and Great Britain ought TO guar
antee peace TO war-harried France
peace for all time against ag-
g-eSSion.
hope for an utmost cordiality
between all English speaking peo-
pies. but I wish no cordial!ty that
spells injustice to any other friend.
] am for mercy for stricken Ger
many, but first for Justice for
France. Let America stay all out
or get all In. II we go in. let US
be merciful, but at our own e1-
pense: let US give Germany all aid
possible, but give It out OF our
own pocket, not give her what be-
longs to France or Belgium.
iCopyr.khs 1879. hy Thomas R. Marshali.l