The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-01
WILL STAY OUT OF ENGAGEMENTS
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tion of a vanquished people. We have the deepest sympathy with the people of France; we warmly cherish their ancient friendship. We desire to see France prosperous and secure, with her wounds healed and her just demands satisfied. We desire to see a united and prosperous Germany. with a will to peace, making amends to the full extent of her power and obtaining the appropriate rewards of her labor and skill. We wish to see an end to the waste of military ef- forts and the easing of the burdens of unproductive expenditures. We wish to see the fires of hatred Quenched.
 Tt is because of these earnest de- sires that we have hoped, as was stated in the recent communication to the British government, that the solution of the present grave prob lems would be sought in fair and comprehensive inquiry in which all which would be inspired by the de- termination to find means to restore the productive activities through which alone separations can be paid, and to give opportunity for the req sonable contentment and amicable relations of industrious peoples through which alone peace and se- curity can be assured.
 "The bitter controversy which fol- lowed the war showed with what tenacity we still hold to the prin- ciple of not meddling in the political strife of Europe. It is true that the spread of democratic ideas and the resulting change in governments have removed the danger of organ ized effort to extend to this conti- nent the European political sys- tenn of 100 years ago. But Europe still has a set of primary interests which are not ours. Unity in war did not avail to change the diverg- ent national aims and policies in peace.
 Must Not Suffer Greater Ills.
 Tt is not that our interests may not be affected injuriously by such controversies. That was true in the days of Washington, Jefferson and Monroe. But it was, despite such injuries, the abiding conviction that suffer the greater evils which would follow the sacrifice of our independ- ent position. We still hold to that view
 "The preponderant thought among Us undoubtedly Is that our influence would not be increased by pooling The influence that is due to our de- tachment and impartiality could not long be maintained If we should sub-' stitute the role of partisan in Flu ropean quarrels. But when all is said, there is still no doubt of our desire to be helpful in every prac ticable way consistent with our in- dependence and general aims. The difficulties which beset Europe have their causes within Europe and not in any act or policy of ours.
 Generally our policies toward Flu rope may thus be summarized: We are still opposed to alliances. We refuse to commit ourselves in ad- vance with respect to the employ ment of the power of the United States in unknown contingencies. We reserve our judgment to act upon occasion as our sense of duty per mits. We are opposed to discrimina tions against our nationals. We ask fair and equal opportunities in man. dated territories as they were ac- quired by the allies through our aid. We desire to cooperate according to our historic policy in the peaceful settlement of international disputes which embraces the policy of judi eial settlement of such questions as are justifiable. It is our purpose to cooperate in those varied hpmani- tartan efforts which aim to mini mize or prevent those evils which can be met adequately only by com munity of action.
 "In short, our cooperation as an independent state in the furtherance of the aims of peace and justice has always been and still is a distinc- tive feature of our policy.
 There is plainly no inconsistency between these policies and the Mon roe doctrine. Our position as a world power has not affected it. The question is whether that doctrine is still important under changed condi- tions. The answer must be in the affirmative"