Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05
BY FRANK n. SIMONDS.

~ ENEVA: Uncle Sam, Imperial
ist''
7 1t vas under this title that
~ found the familiar gentleman
whom We all accept as SYM
bolical of our nation. masquerading,
when / first arrived in Europe more
than five months ago. And it is as an
imperialist, conscious. deliberate and
determined, that I have been forced
to hear him described in many coun-
tries and by the representatives Of
many nations not only constantly but
increasingly since that time
From Moscow to London, Europe is
at the present time, discussing Amer
lean policy as the revelation of definite
and matured purpose to obtain world
hegemony. American ambition, inter
pret'd in European comment, aims az
no less than threefold mastery: We are
out" to combine financial domination
% the universe with naval supremacy
on the seven seas and political and
even territorial control and expansion
in both Americas
What the United States is now do
ing. in Europe's mind. Constitutes
strikingly close parallel 10 what Spain.
France and Germany tried to do in
Europe and what the British have been
able TO do on the seas and in distant
continents in the past two centuries.
Goes Back to Debts.
II one might summarize the Euro
pean conclusion. it would be stated
something like this: America Is the
richest. the strongest. the most power
full country on this planet Since the
Roman Empire no nation has been
comparably irresistible. But 10 coun-
try has possessed even a fraction Of
the power now in American hands
without setting out 10 rule the world.
The question Is not whether America
in imperialism with which European
history is filed but how :. will under
take it,"
Europe, the American visitor will Be
told. first became aware Of American
imperialism, when. after repudiati2g
the League OF Nations and relapsing
into traditional isolation, the United
States promulgated its debt policy. No
European will argue that his own coun-
try would have followed a different
policy from the American. Even for
him such statement would seem too
absurd. What he says is that We did
what any European country would have
done under the circumstances. and thus
( OGt I4lO%lNSS slluSt IEdtE DSCEl Sl41lI4dE-
Put down briefly. our debt policy
vas the starting point OF our imperial
ism Il represented the deliberate pur-
pose, by taking advantage Of the war
borrowings Of our associates. not merely
TO acquire financial supremacy IN the
world but 10 hold the financial. the
industrial the economic life OF each
debtor nation under our control Hold
Ing otir debtors 70 account. We pur-
/ pose 10 turn their payments into con-
( trolling interests II their railways. pub
lie utilities and other similar lines.
J The very Dawes plan. welcomed on
: this side Of the Atlantic at the moment
when II was framed IS supreme con-
trsbution 10 European reconstruction
has now come 70 appear as a convenient
circumstance III the broad program o.
American imperialism Il vas regarded
as lifebelt at the moment It was Gre
ated; IL now seems moose OF StraGgu-
latton. For. in recent times we have
scuarely advocated the proposal 70 fix
the amount Germany IS 70 pay by
naming the number OF payments 10 be
required. This means, II fact. reCiuc-
ing the sum OF reparat.ons from the
astronomical proportions OF the YER
sailleS Treaty But at the same time
We repeat our assertion that we shall
not consider any similar reduction Of
the war debts
This course. says Europe. 6iScloseS
our purpose. Having lent many billions
10 Germany. Ne protect this .nysstnen;
oy bringing about VAST reduction II
what Germany IS TO pay her concuerorS.
They vii. set enough. perhaps. 70 pay
their debts 20 lis, We will thus o. in
Surc0 OF our debt claims bat a. the
same time by the reduction q: repara-
tion> We shall De equally sure that Ger
many viii pay back 20 us wha. she has
borrowed
Such an Interpretation % American
policy may and doubtless will seem TOO
fantastic 10 the American reader 10
warrant even consideration But the
fact Is that IL Is general conception
very steadily propagaisd not merely by
those journals and public men who
represent the nat!onalsStie elements III
various countries and who might be
Expected 20 look with 6iSmsy upon the
disproportionate growth Of the United
states as world power, but even more
induStriouSly circulated by the press
and leaders Of Socialist and CegnrlQusS.
groups III al countries
Scans Own Naval Record.
Uncle Sam Is then, "ca," Tor siaan-
assertion Is, IN sense. old. since the
indictment OF "Uncle Sam" as uaele
StyloeS has been soir,g torvar! with 4
varying degree Of intensity for several
years His appearance as the SSpicans
FOR sea supremacy is, by contrast, some
what more recent, Nevertheless, the
conception has ocen developing III
Earopc ever since the Washington Con-
ference Of 1871
For several centuries Ellrcg>s has oeen
accustomed IL British naval oolnsns-
ton IL has been accustomed sl$e ~
the ultimate ruin Of any country who
Ventured to challenge this right 81 rule
the seas On the Continent there exists
the conviction that the World War
came because Germany decilieI IA build
tseet and In the same way thar Ger
man defeat MAS due primarily IL he
British fleet. There IS no Disposition ~
Tonnahawk of Fren,