Evening star., 1928-11-24
u. S.-EUROPEAN
. STRAIN EVIDENCED
War Debt and Disarmament
Views Basis of Rift Be.
tween Hemispheres.
BY PAUL SCOTT MoWRER.

BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
BY Gable to The Star and chicago Daily
News. Copyright. 1928.
PARIS, November 24.--Relations be-
tween the United States and Europe at
the present time are considered by ex-
perienced diplomats and observers to be
unsatisfactory. The fault may lie on
one or both sides, but the fact remains.
Europe has never accepted the Amer
lean viewpoint in the war-debt ques-
tion, and there is no gainsaying that
the United States has little sympathy
over here, even among the smaller ma
tions, in the disarmament thesis.
AS for President Coolidge's Armistice
day uttersnces, the press has been pur-
posely restrained nearly everywhere,
and the press comment is far from re-
vealing the real depth Of European ir-
ritation. About the only nation which
liked it was Germany, and this for the
special reason that Germany just now
is trying hard to effect reapproche-
ment with us to counteract the Franco
British entente.
Imperialism Belief Grows.
More and more it Is the firm belief
of citizens of Europe that Americans
are vast and imperialistic people,
whose real aim is financial and naval
hegemony. In the cruiser controversy
their sympathies are with Great Bri-
tain: in the renewed tariff controversy
their sympathieS are with France.
Every single great power earnestly
desires an understanding with us, but
apparently not one is now convinced
that such an understanding is possible;
not one Is willing to effect an under
standing on purely American terms and
every one, while still working for an
understanding, seems busy concocting
possible alternatives. Some of these
alternatives are worth watching, for
they may affect Americas future.
The situation in the Far East Is
typical. Great Britain, France and
Japan throughout the Chinese troubles
have been trying to persuade the United
States to join them in common policies
OF some sort. America has consistently
refused, preferring to play lone hand
less to agree with our Chinese policies,
but this Is no longer the case. True,
America has been successful. American
support of the Marking government has
helped it to establish itself, and ac-
cordingly in its choice OF advisers 1t re-
sorted only to Germany and to the
United States. Col. Bauer OF the old
German imperial staff has been ap-
pointed military adviser. Henry Ford
owen Young and others have been ap-
pointed honorary financial advisers
Gen. Harbord Is economic adviser and
two American architects have been
chosen to remodel Marking.
Trying to Get Loan.
1t is true that in return for these
complimentary appointments the Chi
nese are trying to get a reconstruction
loan from Wall Street, but this is not
the only consequence. France, Japan
and Great Britain are drawing together
in something like a new Far Eastern
alliance. The Franco-BritiSh entente
seems to be extending It's sphere across
the Pacific.
The French long have been intimate
with the Japanese and now there Is
talk of renewal of the Anglo Japanese
understanding. Count Uchida reports
that Great Britain favors this, especial
ly since the failure of the Geneva dis
armament conference, and Baron Tan
aka also Is known to favor 1t.
In token Of the new alignment,
France. Great Britain and Japan have
just presented joint protests to Nam
king regarding Chinas unilateral ac-
ton In changing the operation of the
salt tax administration. All three
powers would like to work with the
United States in the Far East. Their
present attitude seems to mean that
since this Is apparently impossible they
will work with one another.
1t is still believed that the going into
effect of the Kellogg peace pact would
do much to relieve the strain in Euro
pean- American relations. President
Coolidge's description of this treaty ns
the most effective instrument for peace
ever devised" has been echoed by Pre-
mier Baldwin, who says it Is such a
formidable thing that few men now
grasp its full meaning and who adds
that all governments will be obliged by
1t to remodel their policies.
Wait On Senate.
But although President Coolidge ap-
peared to chide Europe for not imme-
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new safeguards offered by this pact, the
truth is that Europe is disinclined to
base her policies on the pact until it
has actually been ratified by the Amer
lean Senate The memory of the fate
of the Versailles treaty is still vivid in
European minds.
Great Britain and several Latin
American states are delaying ratifica-
ton. II the Senate makes no definite
reservations, possibly nothing more will
be heard of the British. interpretative
letter covering the regions where Brit.
ain claims to have special interests
But II America reserves the Monroe
Doctrine, England may desire to make
her own reservation more formal anc
specific. Also there Is the feeling per.
ceptible In Downing street that after
the Kellogg pact passes the American
Senate, 1t may be easier than at pres.
ent for Great Britain to make q new
compromise proposal on the naval dis
armament.