The Holly chieftain., 1923-12-27

example, who cry out against the "isolation" Of
the United States, may learn that the United
States is not isolated financially or commercially
but only politically-and politically only in the
that 1t is not mixed up in the ambitions
hates and plots of alien peoples. Some of those
who would have the United States enter the for
egn chaos with free hand, long purse and
big stick may learn the constitutional limitations
under which the United States must act
And. bulking large on the horizon, always
the two great questions: To what extent should
the United States be held responsible for the peace
Of the world7 Is 1t for the best interests of the
American people that the United States should
enter actively into international politics?
Patriotic, able and influential Americans hold
Numerically opposite views on these subjects as
on every one of the subjects Of the many puzzles
within the vast worldwide puzzle. One American
statesman says:
We turned our backs upon our associates.
refused to bear any responsible part in the admin
istration of peace the firm and permanent estab-
lishment of the results Of the terrible
cost of life and treasure. and withdrew into a
sullen and selfish isolation which ia deeply ignoble.
because manifestly ;owardly and dishonorable.
Another American statesman-of the same politi-
cal party-says in answer:
deny that America played ignoble part be-
fore during or since the war I assert the noblest
Americas part. before. during and since the war.
Much is said and written in favor Of "hands
across the sea"-a union of America and Great
Britain that shall tell all the rest Of the world to
be good and see that 1t does behave. 1t is inter.
esting to note In this connection that Russia has
q dictator. Lenn, who says that when the Reds
get the upper hand the bourgeoisie of America
will pay heavy price. Turkey has dictator
Mustapha Kemal Pasha, who is charged with hav-
ing broken every promise Of good behavior and
every guarantee to American missionaries and to
the remnants Of Christians Spain has dictator
Rivera. whose ambition is to unite Spain and Latin
America In a confederacy hostile to the United
States. Italy has u dictator, MussolinI, who de-
cares that the payment of reparations belongs In
the domain Of mythology" and has chip on bis
shoulder for the whole world.
Not single of these four dictntors has any
adequate understanding OF the ideals of the Eng.
disappearing nations. Not single of these
four dctntors cares a red cent for the Ideals Of
the Englishspeaking nations.
Five years ago President Wilson read to Joint
session of the houses Of the American congress
the terms of the armistice which had brought the
World to IN end. He said, among other
things:
And more t.,an that-much than that-has
been accomplished The great nations which
ciated themselves to destroy 1t have definitely
united In the common purpose to set up such
peace as will satisfy the longing Of the whole
world for disnterested Justice. embodied In settle
ments which based upon something much bet
ter and much more lrstng THAI the selfish COM
petitive interests of powerful states
There is longer conjecture to the objects
the vlctors have IN mind They have mind in the
matter. not only. but heart also. Their avowed
and concerted is to satisfy and protect the
weak well TO accord their Just rights to the
strong.
Europe Is completely mad" says Gerard, for
mer ambassador to Germany, with no difference
except in degree between England France and
Germany" This inevitably suggests the story of
the old Quaker who said to his wife: "All the
world Is queer except me and thee and sometimes
1 think thee Is little queer"
Mr.. Gerard may be right; certainly can
prove him wrong. But 1t only adds to the puzzle
ment Of the puzzle. Boy, page Mr.. Secretary