The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-08-19
1T COULD BE WORSE.

From 1914 to 1917 neither France
nor England was given very much
cause for complaint by the American
people. One might, indeed, differentil
ate between the people and the gov
eminent and blame the latter for its
delay in entering the war; one might
find fault with the efforts of Mr..
House to bring peace about before
our entrance became unacceptable or
over the greater effort to keep the
rights of neutrals from total obliter-
alton the while we remained the only
influential neutral left. Grey of Fall
loden, however, realized quite early
that there was one diplomatic mistake
the Allies Slust not make-offend the
United States The Germans did make
that mistake, and Grey is not the only
Englishman who has been thankful
that they did.
Certainly during the latter part of
the war the role we played in Europe
was not ungrateful to the Allied peo-
Piles. Possibly we boosted little too
freely of the decisive effect of Ameri-
cas- entrance. But when the Armis-
tice came and President Wilson sailed
for Europe there was not much idea
over there of welcoming him with
Kisses.
In the postwar period we stood
shoulder to shoulder with England
for quick economic rehabilitation of
the Continent. If we refused to Join
the League of Nations, the League we
rejected was the one Mr.. Wilson de-
scribed-with Article X as its heart
not the sort of League that eventu-
ated. We did not abuse ourimpreg-
nable position as the creditor of all
Europe to dictate the terms of the
treaties and rearrange the Continent
to suit our own ideas. We asked for
little, and, as the event proved, we got
less. We have minded our own bust
ness ever since. When England fund
ed her debt to US on substantial terms
she hailed her act as a master stroke
in the way of proving to France, Italy
and the lesser powers that she prac-
ticed what she preached
1t is worth while recalling these
things now that Americas popularity
seems to have become a minus guam
tity. America seems to be wholly and
exclusively responsible for the shrik-
age of the franc, so considered not
only in Paris, but in London as well.
But England did considerable more
than settle her debt to us in order to
put her house in order. She even went
on gold basis. And during this per
lod OF the francs decline, from a low
of 8.45 cents for 1919 to low of l. so
cents in 1926, no payment to US by so
much as single penny contributed
to the embarrassment of the French
Treasury. On the other hand, we have
loaned Europe over $4,000, 100000,
mostly for the re-establishment of in
dustries and markets, from trade with
which France has been able to benefit
immeasurably.
France is mistaken if she believes
this country fails either officially or
popularity of sufficient sympathy for
her in this present predicament. We
may point with some satisfaction to
the fact that if she wants to call US
names we have nobody but Borah and
johnson able or willing to return the
compliment. But if being called names
for the little this country has really
done in the way of offense affects our
sensibilities, let US thank Heaven we
are not in the League of Nations. Con-
trast the Leagues activities with
those presupposed for it by Mr.. Will
son, and then think of US deter
mined to carry out his program for it.
Preparations, Syria, Morocco, the
Ruhr, all before the Council, and Am
erica challenging France on each and
all! ENMK