Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-09-10

take up the job as the chief Ameri-
can diplomat at Paris" in most
troublesome times, the most diff
ficult, perhaps, that have confronted
an American diplomat anywhere
since the days of 1917 to 1916. Ap-
pointment of Mr.. Bullitt then, it
would appear, is a move that calls
into consideration not only the con-
ditions which he will meet as our
ambassador but also his qualifca-
tons for the job.
1t is to be remembered, first,
that the post of ambassador to Paris
is the second highest in rank among
our foreign diplomats. It is post
that always has called for about
the best that our nation can turn
out in the way of tactful representa-
ton even though we always count
the assignment to London as the No.
l ranking post. The reason is that
we seldom, if ever, have had the
problems to deal with in the case
OF the London government that con-
tinuously arise between the United
States and France. We always have
been friendly with France in mod
ern times, but it can not be denied
that there has been constant fric-
ton between the two peoples. The
same has not been true concerning
Anglo-American relations. Hence,
the job at Paris has always been
regarded as more difficult than that
at London.
AS for Mr.. Bullitt's capacity,
there is a general feeling that he
is not an outstanding diplomat. He
has achieved success in some lines,
yet I believe the consensus is that
in so far as his recent service at
Moscow is concerned, the Russians
can claim much greater success in
dealing with the United States than
we can in dealing with the Soviet.
Those of us who were present as
observers in Washington during the
days when Foreign Commissar Lit
vinov met with President Roosevelt
in the series of conferences that re-
suited in recognition of the Union of
Soviet Socialistic Republics can not
fail to recall how Mr.. Bullitt la
bored to accomplish that recogni-
ton. It will be recalled as well that
MIR. Bullitt insisted throughout these
negotiations how trade would follow
recognition. He urged that the 49,
year old policy of non-recognition
held by Wilson, Harding, Coolidge
and Hoover, should be cast aside
in the interest of trade, predicting
great flow of commerce between
the nations. President Roosevelt
eventually made that the real basis
for granting recognition.
None of the predicted trade has
come about. None will be possible
until the Soviet finds means of pay
ing for American goods. Ameri-
can business men are bit old FASH
Toned. They want to be paid for
what they sell.
After what some critics have
called Mr.. Bullitt's dismal failure"
at Moscow, he is promoted to the
French post. The selection comes
at a time when French internal
politics are boiling. It comes like
wise at time when the Washing
ton government is striving to ex-
pand American exports and when it
is hoped that there will not be fur
Their decline in outbound shipments
such as official figures of the De-
partment of Commerce show has
taken place in trade with Russia.
Senator James Couzens of Michi-
gan who is up for reelection this
=, fall has sort of up
OPsets set the apple cart
Apple Cart for the Republi-
C n S, although
they profess not to be particularly
worried. The senior senator from
Michigan has always served in the
senate as a Republican but now
he makes the announcement that he
is going to support President Roose-
welt for reelection and that brings
the senator's regularity as a Re-
publican into question.
Senator Couzens has been a DOW
erful man politically in Michigan in
years past. He has served his city,
Detroit, and his state and the ma
ton in distinguished way. OBJ
viously, such service builds up an
important political following but,
according to superficial indication.
no one knows exactly how much re-
mains of that following. This state
ment assumes that the senator's
strength is not as great as it used to
be and all current information sup
ports that view. Yet, in politics.
nothing is certain and that is the
reason why Senator Couzens's ac-
ton has proved disturbing.
Former Gov. Wilbur M. Brucker
is seeking the Republican nominal
ton for the senate in Michigan and
thus the incumbent has his diff
culties in getting the nomination be-
cause the Democrats will have a
candidate of their own. Be il said
in favor of Senator Couzens, how
ever, he was fair with the voters Of
his party by announcing before the
primaries what his attitude would
be respecting the presidential can
didateS and his Sincoritv IN 4L,;e =