Evening star., 1926-03-28

purpose Of obtaining higher prices. But when
the British did the same with rubber, we raised
tremendous protest.
Today the conception of the situation most
frequently held in France and quite common
In Britain. indeed one might say It is the com
mon European view, is that the United States
has from the outbreak of the war onward so
played its cards as to arrive at the present STU
alton in which it has put all Europe to ransom.
1--WE are no moro Free this is familiar state
ment. "Al Europe is paying tribute to America
and this tribute will be continued to the third
generation beyond the war"
In the present hour when Britain is strug-
Cling with economic problems of hardly paral-
ieled gravity. when her population is In con-
siderable part idle. the very bases OF her pros
perity shaken, the United States is taking an
nually tax of "a per head. while American
shipping is reducing British commercial profits
to nothing, thanks to Government subsidy, and
American competition Is eating into the Brit
ish pre-war markets. notably in South America
More than that the British home market Is IT.
self deluged with American products.
Hotels In Paris and London to say nothing
of the Riviera, were filled with Americans. who,
in France. were spreading money with that ut
ter disregard which a deprecated currency In
spires in the mind of the dollar possessors. Not
only did the press TEEN with reports OF amazing
American prosperity. which were brought back
by the few European visitors to the United
States but visibly. before their own eyes, the
people of London and Paris saw the Americans
scattering money without thought or care.
Yet over against this picture Of wealth. ac-
centuated by veracious reports from Washing
ton of vast reductions in the taxation OF our
country, at the moment when all European
treasures are struggling to find fresh sources
of revenue to balance budgets, despite the
colossal burdens already borne, stood the ON
cial attitude OF the United States demanding on
every occasion the payment of what from the
European point Of view were unbelievable sums
to meet the war debts.
Now in this state of facts one hears day by
day the ever-increasing suggestion that Europe
must take some common action to escape from
American exploitation and control Trotsky, ap-
RI xxnrlinp 0f the continent Is
but one voice. The same idea is heard in capi
talistic quarters with equal vehemence The
belief that Europe has become purely and
simply field of American exploitation is well
nigh universal.
In the last analysis it is the working men
who bear the heaviest burden in periods Of eco
nomic depression such as exist In Britain and
Germany. But those same working men are
constantly told that the reason for their trou-
bles Is the American insistence upon debt pay
ments which at one moment explain German
reparations and British debt payment, while
in France the financial troubles are ascribed
to the refusal Of the United States rich be-
ycnd. the dreams of avarice, to assist France in
her hour of extreme crisis.
The conception of a United States Of Europe.
not political, but economic and commercial, q
combination Of European powers to meet the
American menace, Is in my judgment, beyond
realization now. We still hold the whip hand
for Europe must borrow from us for many
years to come and whatever the private re-
sentiment, the public expression, officially at
IeaSp, must De CoETSCl II iS Iot CoHCclNdpiS
that for decade at least, Europe venture
on any collective struggle against the United
States.
But one must see and feel what is actually
happening A whole new generation 10 coming
on the field In Europe simply saturated with
the conviction that its present miseries are
lareeiy due to the policies and purposes of
rich powerful and remorseless America, which
exploited Europe in war and Is now continuing
to exploit it in the riseries of postwar time
We are accommodating balance Of dislike, dis
trust and even positive hatred which 1t IS
little appalling to consider.
There is a legend in America, much employed
by the champions OF the League OF Nations
that Europe is still eager to welcome us back,
that 1t Is waiting for cooperation to make
the league final success, and that It is also
waiting for our aid to achieve final disarma-
ment. Nothing could in my judgment, be less
accurate. Europe does not want anything from