The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-24

an ou1e, giving VllS OJII6I I1lo 4u4l
confidence.
1t was a dangerous illusion for
diplomatist at a moment like
that one.
On his own responsibility Page
begged Sir Edward to inform him
IF the good offices of the United
States could at any time or in any
possible way be used" and re-
ceived the foreign minister's polite
and cautious thanks.
When the Presidents telegram
arrived few hours later Mr..
Page replied TO it merely by re-
porting this offer of his own and
saying that he would renew it.
Meanwhile, however, the life of
European civilization was ebbing
fast. The State Department had
to insist again; and it was not I'M
til six days later that the am
baSsad dor at last found time to
give his opinion that there was
mot the slightest chance" Of any
result from a prefer of good Of
fees. BY that time, of course,
there was none.
Yet the episode served to fix the
idea of an American intervention
in mind; and it now shows how
early there appeared the confu-
sion between a neutral interven-
ton to secure a mediated or ne
gotiated" peace and an interven-
ton, in effect belligerent, to Sc
cure peace las Mr.. Herrick had
suggested through supporting the
Entente against the Central Pow
ers.
NEW American statesmen in
L those hurried hours seem to
have noticed the difference. 1t
was not only in the United States,
however, that the Presidents offer
awoke the idea of an American in
tervention. Sir Edward Grey both
noted the difference and very
ShreWdly analysed the possibilities.
He was later to record his method
of reasoning:
IF there were stalemate on both
Western and Eastern fronts there
would be a pause, in which the
voice Of reason might be heard.
Germany would then have lost the
hope of victory. On the other
hand, the Allies might reflect that
to resist a Germany attack was
one thing, to advance and to con-
quer Germany another and very
different thing. 1t might seem
preferable to make peace on terms
that, though short Of victory for
the Allies, would be anything but
victorious terms for Germany. In
such situation the influence of
the United States would be in
valuable"
American mediation" in other
words. would be prepared as a
laSt-line reserve which the Entente
might call up in case both sides
were beaten to a Standstill.
Unless such a case arose media
ton from the United States
which must necessarily impose
limits upon possible Allied victory
would not be welcome.
To penetrate that fairly simple
situation would not seem to have
called for any very profound dip
lomatic skill, but it all went over
the head of the devoted Mr.. Page.
THE first shocks of the collapse
Il were already being trans
mitted throughout our whole
domestic economy. Cotton, which
had been selling at Is cents in the
latter half of July, slumped to II
cents by the second week of Au-
gust and continued dropping fast.
Wheat, on the other hand, was
floating off to new highs, even as
the freight jams began to accu-
mulate upon export wharves.
And on Aug. the first British
cOntraband list arrived at the
State Departmental mild enough
affair compared to what was soon
to come, but enough to suggest
the immediacy with which war in
Europe must affect many intri-
cate completes of American in
tereSt.
In this matter the State De-
partment acted boldly and
promptly. A few hours after the
receipt of Mr. Pages cable an
nouncing the contraband list
circular telegram went out ask
ing all belligerents if they would
accept the declaration of Lon
dOn-that codif1cation of sea law
in war time which had been
signed by all the principal pow
ers at the conference in 1909, but
which had not, unfortunately,
been ratified.
THE protection of our trade,
l. however. was but one prob
lem among many.
Abroad our embassies and lega-
tons suddenly found themselves
overwhelmed with the RESPONSE
bilitv for the diplomatic interests
of all Europe, besides being
charged with the immediate care
Of the distressed nationals of half
dozen belligerent powers. Prob
lens of neutrality accumulated.
AS the German battle line came
rolling down the central plain of
Belgium in the first fortnight of
August. Mr.. Whitlock at Brussels
was suddenly confronted with a
dec sion.
The Belgian court was about to
evacuate; should he go with it or
stay by his legation? The State
Department incautiously left it to
Mr. Whitlock's judgment. He