Evening star., 1926-03-28
Hatred of fAmerica by Peoples ofEurope
Presents Problem of Increasing Gravity

the United States at this moment but money.
and it resents the fact that to obtain the money
it has to seem to invite our participation III
what 1t regards s it's own affairs.
Your European friends. British or French,
do not longer discuss the American attituae
or policy. 1t is no longer regarded as Ihe
from all but the most intimate conversations
because it is felt that to mention 1t can only
be to release comment which must. Wouhu
without serving any purpose
/ do not want to give my readers the I'M
preston that 1 share this European view OF
the United States, Naturally, do not. But,
on the other hand, 1t seems to me essential
that Americans should perceive something OF
the sentiments which prevail generally over
here toward their country. If, as seemed
likely when left home, there is new senti-
ment in favor Of American participation in
European affairs, it is Of a certain Importance
that Americans should understand the state
of mind of the Europe into which they are
to adventure again and the welcome which
will attend them.
If come back, one will again believe
that decision has in 1t anything but the
desire to forward business, advance our
investments. If we advocate disarmament
Europe will see in this no more than the de
liberate attempt to reduce military expenses
here in order to insure larger rebate payments
to ourselves. And some countries at least
will believe that we are prepared to take away
from them all means of sef-defense, solely
that we may collect from them larger an
nual debt payment. The legend of disinter-
America, has gone and cannot be restored.
If we come back we shall come back rather
as Shylock than as a savior. That is the cold
fact.
We Americans may regard this European
point of view unjust, unreasonable, even
proof of European obliquity of vision
Certainly no American is going to accept 1t
as accurate. But the solid fact that American
statesmanship and public opinion must deal
with is that this European Judgment exists
and Is likely to continue. Even more, 1t Is
likely to increase rather than diminish as
years pass and the single concrete reminder
Of the war Is the trtbute-as Europeans re-
gard it-paid each year by every country to
the United States.
We have been pleased to regard the debts
rs an ordinary commercial transaction, COW
cred by the customary morality Of private
debts, but there is, in fact IL not In principle,
a profound difference between debts which
concern individuals and debts which exist be-
tween nations. France, the French people
now owe nearly five times much
Germany made them pay after the lost war
of 1870. The payment will carry conscious
ness into the life Of every Frenchman and it
will arouse resentment In England the re-
sentiment Is flercest among the working peo-
pie, for whom life is incredibly hard and to
whom 1t seems the exaction of rich and
selfish American public.
X X X X
Certainly Europe Is not going to combine
to make war upon us. Nevertheless. 1 do
venture the prediction that the time will come
before long when all Europe, divided by every
sort of ancient and cotemporary difference.
VIII nnu at IeaSt one oasis Tor agreement In
the common hatred of the common creditor.
Doubtless If the debts something which
might be paid and eliminated in one year or
five the feeling would also pass, but they
to remain for 60 years. Such being the out
standing fact in Europe, the circumstance
which most amaZes an American Is the present
Washington and American opinion. which con-
tinues to act in the apparent belief that we
shall be welcomed in Europe, whether at
conferences or elsewhere; that credence
will be attached to the familiar statement that
we are ready or willing to help Europe.
In sum, in Europe are Shylock; that is
the long and short of 1t; but European ne.
cessities make dealings with Shylock ines
capable. From the European point of view
taking pound of flesh; our claims
are legal, not moral We may, perhaps with
perfect justice, hold that the European view
is unfair, unjust and Enthusiastically mac
curate, but what we have to do is to recognize
Just what that European view is and what
1t is likely to remain for an indefinite future
tCopyright. 1926)