San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-02
MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
THE ISOLATION MYTH

Questions that have long haunted Eu-
ropcan minds, and that even some Ameri
cans have been unable to answer in a
manner ineligible to foreigners, arc
treated with great comprehensivcneSs and
remarkable insight in an article contribute
cd to a recent issue of The Nineteenth
Century and After by Edward Price Bell,
European manager of the foreign service
OF the Chicago Daily News. Dealing
largely with the character OF America and
her people in relation TO foreign problems
in general and Europc's present plight in
particular, the author exposes as a mere
theory, or fancy, the idea that the United
States is practicing, or has ever prac-
ticcd, policy of isolation.
1t may require residence in foreign
land for an American citizen to apprc-
ciate fully the character OF his own coun-
try and its ideals and institutions. In any
case, Mr.. Bell, after years OF residence in
Europe, not only puts higher appraisal
upon Americas character than that &C
corded by many citizens who have never
lett their native shores. but seems to have
deeper understanding OF this country
spirit than is usually apparent in discus
sions OF the subject by men purporting to
be statesmen.
He shows, in a swift review OF the coun-
try's history, that the United States has
mixed increasingly with the world from
her earliest days" and has been quick in
all circumstances to seize opportunities to
countenance good causes, especially rising
freedom, everywhere"
Since America became first-rate SOW
creign power" he points out, there has
been in the world one supreme crisis OF
liberty and OF civilization" This refers
of course, to the world war. While adj,
hitting that the United States held back
for nearly three years, he says that Amcri,
ca finally. appraised the situation correct
ly, and, coming to understand, despite q
multitude Of adverse circumstances, threw
herself into the struggle against despotisn
with flaming energy and scorn Of cost
unsurpassed in wal
Then he expresses the conviction tina
America, given an opportunity, will risC
TO any real crisis affecting humanity. A:
an illustration of the Country'S sensitive
ness to foreign events threatening human
ity he cites the effect which the mcnaCins
attitude OF the Turks in the region o
Constantinople produced upon American
officials and the American people. "Higl
officials in Washington he recalls, "ex
pressed the belief that. il, the British anc
the Turks. got to fighting, America coulc
not keep out OF war" = .-t
The spirit which moved the Unitet
States in the World War, and which be
gan to stir anew when the Turks threat
ened Western civilization, will abide wit
America always, League of Nations 0
no League of Nations" Then he answer
question which has troubled many Euro
peans since the advent OF the present ad
ministration at Washington: Why di
America, after demanding consolidate
movement for world peace, turn her bac
upon the League of Nations
The covenant that was framed q
Paris could not be reconciled with til
constitution of the United States. Tha
fact was pointed out by advisers OF tn
European premiers who participated in tn
Paris conference; but the premiers di:
missed the objection with the statemer
that our constitution was mere tecl
nicality."
Nobody seemed to know just what c
feet Americas participation in the league
affairs would have, and TO the confusio
already existing President Wilson and h
advisers-particularly his chief legal az
viser-added UNNECESSARILY by contradic
ing themselves. Mr.. Wilson said that ii
covenant would bind the United Stat,
10 send troops to Europe in case OF troub
there, and he said that it would not in
pose any such obligation upon this coul
Try.
Consequently although almost der
organization, commercial, social, reid lou
10 the United States had advocated Il
srsation Of a league Of nations, Wild II
people came to vote on the quest n