Evening star., 1923-02-04
America Ruled by Faddists,
Erect One Year and Bent Next


NAL conditions. I do not seek to
throw a monkey wrench into tho
machinery of international AFFAIRS
but as an onlooker. / cannot help
wondering why. If we are not go
ing to have anything to do with
European politics, based az 1t ID
largely upon finance, we are con-
stantly advising the peoples OF the
old world as to what they ought
to do.
We are pouring out our money
to aid and relieve a stricken peo-
pie who on Christmas day, il news
reports are correct. burned God in
effigy. We are endeavoring to as
sist financially and to give advice
be accorded by the Turk to the
Armenian. We are constantly
talking about the brotherhood OF
mankind Our intellectual hon
esty teaches US that the apostle
made a pertinent inquiry when he
asked: And what concord hath
Christ with Belial, or what part
fidel?" If 1t meant the brother
hood OF man in the sense that God
made all men. yes. But IL broth
erhood of man means that royal
list and democrat. militarfst and
arbitrationist, heather and Chris
tian all look and think and act ira
ternally, no. Why don't we admit
that 1t is not SO much the hook
ing up with Europe that we fear
as it is the dread of brotherly re-
lations with some Europeans who
do not have the views we enter
tain? We are placing the nations
Of the old world in doubt as to
whether we intend to conserve
our money and our intellectual
honesty still further. We are
keeping the word Of promise to
the ear and breaking 1t to the
hope. Every contribution OF
money that goes from this coun-
try to stricken Europe leads 1t
to believe that in some way the
American people propose to sta
bilize European affairs.
I never had any doubt that
President Wilson did the best that
could be done for our country. l
still think we should have ap-
proved his conduct. removed the
sense of fear from France and
enabled her TO 'disband her army.
But a new man is at the helm OF
our international relations and I
am trusting him. President Hard
ing has for his Secretary Of State
lover of peace and very great
lawyer. ! neither criticize nor
laud what is being done. Now, as
always, I am trusting our foreign
affairs in the hands of the Presi-
dent until his negotiations have
been concluded. But / hope we
shall not continue to conserve our
intellectual honesty. 1t should be
used. Nothing Is 30 certain to
add to trouble as uncertainty.
Does any one believe that the
American people voluntarily will
forgive the debts OF Europe or ap-
prove OF governmental loans to
any European nations? Does any
one think for a moment that the
people of this country would con-
sent to using our Army and Navy
for enforcing peace in Europe and
compelling the disbandonment OF
it's vast standing armies? The In
tellectual honesty OF America says
neither Of these things Is possible:
Nav we not hope that the old
world will soon be made to under
stand this? May we not further
hope that the financial experts or
America and Of Great Britain Will
find some solution to the depre,
ciated currency of the old world
and solve Ine
thereby restoring fairly normal
conditions?
X
The greatest soldier that a peo-
pie has is the almighty dollar, and.
if he be either weak or drunken.
the public policy of that people
will be vain and futile. There must
be a restoration OF the monetary
system of Europe before there can
be any hope OF peace. Quite prob
ably our government should not
officially undertake 1t. but it Is to
be hoped that the acumen of
American bankers will find a So
luton in the interests of their own
country as well as of the rest of
the world. There will come a time
when even bankrupt Europe will
say to us: I'VE are tired OF hear
you talk about II. II you are not
going to do anything. keep still"
Copyright, 1923. by Thomas r. Marshali.)