Evening star., 1932-04-03
BY FRANK H. SIMONDS.

~ ARIS-At the end of two
months stay on the continent
which, spent in Paris and
l. Geneva, permitted me to meet
most of the statesmen directing
European affairs at the present time, no
impression was more striking than that
of the total lack of influence by America
on European councils. At no time since
1917 has American influence been so
inconsiderable. American prestige so
low. While the question of debts still
hangs a cloud over all European meet
ings, it is impossible to mistake the fact
that America has become at once un-
intelligible and negligible in European
calculations.
The reasons for this state of affairs
are naturally manifold, but in the end
all come back to the fundamental fact
that, while the White House and the
State Department continue to attempt
to pursue an active policy with Europe,
of course Congress steadily renders fu-
tile and at times ridiculous all the vart-
GUS carefully conceived operations by
President Hoover and Secretary Stim-
son. Europe quite frankly does not
know how or where to apply to get any
inkling as to American policy, or any
illumination on the matter of American
action.
Lack of Policy Cited.
Looking back over the years since the
war that I have been in Europe, can
not remember any time when we counted
less. The truth is that, while our i'm
portance, is unmiStakable, European
statesmen have not the remoteSt idea
as to what actually is American opinion.
Beyond doubt there is general appre-
citation of the rapid extension of isola-
tion sentiments, but what is puzzling
the European mind is that, with billions
of dollars at stake in private invest
ments in Europe, there is discoverable
no public policy.
Europe frankly throws up its hands
as it finds the American representatives
at Geneva ready to discuss the question
of disarmament, but forbidden to con-
slider the parallel issue of security 1t
cannot grasp for what reason it is that,
while we intervened in a spectacular
manner to save Germany by the mora
torium last Summer, we now declare in
advance our purpose to remain away
from Lausanne where the fate of Ger
many may very easily be determined.
Since our money is still there, why are
we now as unconcerned as we were
eager in June of last year?
Our Ambassadors move with great
publicity and in complete mystery about
Europe Paris recently has been con-
sumed with curiosity over the excur-
sion of Ambassador Sackett of Berlin
to Paris, but the result of all these
journeyings. like Stimson'S jaunt to
Europe this Summer, comes to precisely
MI examined closely. Why are we al
warS insistent on playing the diplo-
p1stic gsme with extreme regard for all
no. ali-ies, but always drawing back the
r'"'-7 ent question of Importance comes
up?
Favors Congress Action.
BY and large, Europe has arrived at
the conclusion that the present admin
istration, because of the hostility of
Congress, is unable to carry through
serious negotiations with foreign ma
tions In this situation it would like to
find a means Of getting in touch with
Congress, but knowe that this is out of
the question. 1t remembers clearly the
fatal blunder made at the peace con-
ference by Mr.. Wilson, and it is anxious
not to repeat the blunder with Hoover,
but it literally cannot find a way to
carry through the ordinary relations
with a distant, absent and intangible
United States.
The recent spectacle of our Secretary
OF State addressing statement of high
policy to Senator Borah greatly i'm
pressed many foreign Offices. 1 know
several which would like to follow this
example and accredit representatives to
Borah and the Senate instead of to the
White House, but naturally cannot.
Since, too, all our diplomatic machinery
abroad is attached at home to only one
branch of the Government, Europe goes
vhirling and whirring into space. Tar
dieu can send to Edge, Bruening to
Sackett to find out the views of the
White House; events in the Senate very
frequently demonstrate almost instantly
that these views amount to little more
than personal opinions, which cannot
be translated into action.
In the matter of debts and repara-
tions Europe, convinced it cannot arrive
at a final settlement without American