Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-23

! election to indicate that our own coun-
| try took such statements seriously, and
| I. therefore, trust they will not be taken
seriously abroad.
For the same reason, our people
should not take seriously the campaign
utterances of those who may be seeking
| to supersede the governments in power
In other countries. Political utterances
of this nature should be carefully diff
| ferentiated from statements by respon-
sible Government authorities should
like the people of the United States to
know that at the present time there are
no questions of Importance awaiting
settlement between our Government
and any of the European governments
with which we have relations. Our
Government Is on the most cordial and
friendly terms with all Of them.
Touches on Preparations.
Because this is true, there should be
an attitude of kindness and good will
between our people and all the Euro
pean peoples. Whenever we see state
ments constantly made and seriously
entertained concerning the conduct and
intentions of our Government likely to
prejudice 1t at home or abroad, there
comes a time when a candid presenta-
ton of the facts is required to promote
state of better understanding. Such an
expression is entirely different from
constant attitude of fault-finding and
hostility toward everything that is for
eign. The governments are friendly.
The people and the press should be
friendly. The respect and confidence
of European governments is especially
evidenced by the unanimous request.
not to say insistence, that citizens of
the United States should contribute
their assistance and counsel In the eff
fort to make a final adjustment of the
problem of reparations.
"Of course, in past negotiations we
have reached conclusions with them
through the necessary process of give
and take, but their actions have demon
strated that their governments feel that
our conduct has been such that they
can trust us. After ALL the great meas
ure of our standing In the world Is de-
termined by whether other nations turn
to us for assistance when they have diff
ficulties among themselves. Our very de-
tachment puts lis in the position where
we are constantly rendering a service to
the world which would not otherwise be
possible. While we are not associated
with any particular foreign group. in
the last analysis they all know that
they can apply to use when they are In
need Of friendly offices.
This is the position which judge
Washington wished his country to oc-
cupy. While he warned us against al
liances with any, he was no less urgent
in counSeling the maintenance of
friendly relations with all. AS our
strength has increased, as our power to
maintain our independent position has
grown, the wisdom of his warning and
his counsel has become more and more
apparent. Some nations are so situated
that 1t has been and Is now necessary
for them to seek understanding with
others In order to perpetuate their own
existence. Others have interests so de-
tached and territory so scattered that
they can best protect themselves by
some method of regional relations. Our
situation is such that we are and can
remain unhampered by any such neces-
stiles. We do not seek isolation for Its
own sake, or In order that we may
avoid responsibility, but we cherish our
position of unprecedented detachment,
because through that means we can
best meet our world obligations. II We
became closely identified with any spe-
cific grouping OF nations however adj
vantageous 1t might be to us, we could
not hope to continue to perform that
service.
AS we study the craftsmanship of
Washington, as we see 1t demonstrated
in our domestic and foreign experience,
he becomes larger and larger figure.
The clearness of his intellect, the
soundness of his judgment, the wisdom
of his counsel, the disinterested pa
triotism Of his actions, are constantly
revealed to us with new and COM
peiling force. The reverence for his
memory continues to increase. The peo-
pie Of the United States feel that they
were exalted in his victory. The people
of England feel that even In the defeat
of their arms abroad he carried their
ideals to victory at home. Such con-
quest could not be made save by an ex-
ponent of universal truth"