Evening Star Newspaper, April 24, 1921, Page 35

HARDINGPOLICYWISE;|THE AVOIDS BE RLIN TRAP Mediation in Reparations Issue Would Bring Only Further Hatred for U. S.. [ No Matter What the Decision. BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN. ESPITE protestations of un- dying friendship for Ameri- ca, assurances in some cases upon predicated entirely mever greater. this, President Harding, in firmly re- Jecting Germany's proposal to act as mediator in the reparations dispute between the allies and Germany, plays the part of one wise and far- seeing. Mediation—if the present foreign policy of the administration is to continue—would be fraught with the gravest dangers' for this country. not only hazarding this country’s power of future usefulness in settling the great questions directly involving American issues which more or less have been wrapped up in the parch- ment of the treaty of Versailles, but it, undoubtedly, would be the means of incurring overlasting en- mity for the American government and people as well. President Harding's promise to transmit German proposals. provided this was satisfactory to allied n: tions. undoubtedly is as far as the administration dare go at this junc- ture. For the future is fraught with grave possibilities and any commit- ment taken by the administration at the moment would endanger its poli- €y of steering clear of entangling al- liances and ignoring strictly Euro- pean questions. Harding Policy Logieal. If the United States does not wish to become mud-bespattered, wishes to perpetuate good will for this country, the Harding policy is the logical one. ‘There are quicksands in reparations settlements, and even should this gov- ernment desire to see Germany pun- ished to the fullest mede, it neverthe- less remains that the question of what Germany can justly pay has never been determined, and in the gauging of the amount cases which would be left to this government the offer of mediation were accepted, would unleash the bitterest antagonisms and stir further jealousies and hatred of Americans. Mediation by President Harding un- doubtedly would antagonize France, row about to enforce the most strin- gent penalties against Germany for failure to abide by the reparations agreement. Germany, possibly—and it is stated as a fact in France—ap- proached President Harding with-the hope that he might further Germanic Procrastination in the payment of just cbligations. The two countries are at opposite poles in so far as agreement on the sum to be paid by Germany is concerned. France insists that the reparations figures shall stand. The report of the reparations commission will show that Germany owes the allies between 130,000,000.000 and _ 150,000,000,000 marks, which is a_sum of great deal less than that fixed a few months ago the supreme council sitting in Paris. which declared that $226,000. 000.000 should be the figure paid. The reparations commision has decided that Germany shall pay one billion marks by May 1 and guarantee the other eleven billion considered due on a total amount of 20,000,000,000. The reparations commission has ordered that the Reichsbank gold reserves to- taling nearly 200,000,000 be placed in the bank’s branches at Cologne and ! elsewhere. . This would place the en-!| tire amount practically in the hands of the allies to do with as they saw | arded. Allies Will Stand Together. are t cel e in official Washington, many’s ability to pay. Furthermore, nafions all assurance that - European tions. governments had particular fish fantastic advantage momentary leadership. What “Meddling” Means. As long as the United States con- Europeans term “meddling” hardly will be countenanced, as was evi- denced . only during the past week, when the press of France had several jsharp things to say against American mediation. Until the United States has more than its ear to the international key | hole and intimately knows the steps | European statesmen are taking one 'by one, formulating policies and framing rul-s to govern European re- adjustment processes, President Hard- ing’s course is the only one that safe- 1y can be followed This is the opin- ion expressed by more than one au- thority in Washington. Even the tremendous desire of sev- eral European nations to diplomati- cally build up prestige in this coun- try for the sake of possible future al- liances cannot stand against the tre- mendous voice of European national will when that will demands the per- petuation of strictly nationalistic policies. When the United States takes a hand in any settlement with- out first knowing on which path its feet are placed it endangers its fu- ture, economically, commercially and | financially. | Premiers Meet Today. Premier Lloyd George and Premier Briand meet today at Wythe, Eng- land, to discuss the proposed French penalties to be levied May 1 in case the Germans do not meet reparations demands by that time. The French premier intends to place before the British premier the plans for the oc- cupation of the Ruhr and control of the Westphalian regions. It is known that Lloyd George now is ready to give Germany another chance to make renewed reparations . and decisions of the premiers may in some measure be altered by tHe pro- posals of Dr. Simons before the reichs. tag Monday. It is more to be pre sumed, however, that these proposals already are known to the allied pre- fit. This latter demand has been re- | miers, particularly Lloyd George, who, fused by Germany and undoubtedly will be occasion of further exactions by the allies for failure to meet ex- pressed demands. There Is Middle Ground. Germany consistently has stated that she cannot pay the sums asked by the allies. Her counter proposals offered at London, totaling 30,000,008,000 undoubtedly were but feelers. but the gruff manner in which Lloyd George dismissed them, so angered the Ger- mans that further offers were not made. Unquestionably there is a middle ground for both the French and the Germans, but woe be unto him, par- ticularly an outsider, that suggests ‘what this sum shall be. The French nation, as a whole, holds out for paymenf of the full reparations demand: Should Presi- dent Harding have fallen into the German trap and agreed to arbitrate the claims the famed French friend- ship would have been proven chi- merical, for undoubtedly. indignation of the whole people would have been ®0 great as to preclude future ton- cord for an indefinite period. On the ! other hand, should President Harding have accepted, Germany immediately' would have made it occasion to an- nounce further resistance to the al- lied demands and most ‘would have used the French May day occupation of the Ruhr as an evidence of bad faith on the part of France | and wouldhave endeavored to antag- onize and possibly separate alliances effected during the period of war. . Furthermore, should Mr. Harding ever consent to set a much higher figure than the Germans have here- tofore expressed as fair, then the whole scheme of rehabilitation of financial and commercial life between AS THEY DID Present Operations Recalls Siege of Troy and Heroic Figures of Mythology. Greeks are reported to be crossing into Asia Minor to resist the forces of Mustapha Kemal's army and take pos- session of the territory given them by the treaty of Sevres, an expedition ‘which recalls the memorable crossing of this people 3,000 years ago, the sub- sequent siege of Troy, and the story of the wanderings of Adneas, the historic founder of the early Roman race. “About an hour from the sea, near the Dardanelles, the ruins of the an- elent city of Troy stand upon an emi- ‘nence lookria out over the plains where her sons fell in her defense. At its foot the Scamander winds to the sea,” says a bulletin from the Wash- ington, headquarters of the National phic Soclety. “Excavations on the site have revea ed nine cities, built one upon the top of the other in times past. The sixth from the bottom of these is the Troy of which Homer and Virgil sang. Today there stands little to tell of the might of the former Priam and Paris and the splen- dor which the beautiful Helen caused to be tumbled into dust. ““There is a long, low ridge, some four or five miles in length, which ends in a promontory, where the city itself was The great wall which with- stood the siege of the Greeks for nine years can still be traced almost in fts entirety. A fine tower, containing a large well and a postern gate, stands at the northeast corner. “Five miles off the coast lies the lttle Island of Tenedos, where the Greeks hid, awaiting the time when the wooden horse should make his way through the city walls. Today the windmills of its busy 4.000 peo- ple whirl merrily over its sixteen square miles of territory. “After the exile had slipped away about thirty miles to the southeast * @fihe plain of Troy and had built hi; certainly GREEKS INVADING ASIA MINOR if they are considered adequate foun- dation for further negotiations, may ask the French to defer further in- cursions into Germany. On the other hand, for political ex- pediency, the British premier may O. K. the French plans in the fullest measure. inasmuch as the French will be forced to bear the brunt of further occupa- tion, a thing that Has not been de- sired by the British on account of the terrible expense involved. The domestic situation in England at the moment, with the miners’ strike p: vailing and the whole industrial sit- uation_upset, is not one conducive to large British participation in further German occupations. But the French are bent upon going ahead with an- plans, and inasmuch a: Briand’s political future is at stak it is hardly.probable the hand of France will be stayed May 1 even should the Germans make mew proposals. Even these would not be considered by the allies before May 1, and with no as- surance that any proposals Foreign Minister Simons may make will final- 1y be approved, it is hardly probable the French wili defer military action. ‘With French occupation, with possi- ble German resistance, with the whole question of reparations in almost as nebulous a state as when the subject was first taken up in Paris, and promising as much trouble as it ever did, not onmly for the nations most concerned, but the world at large, President Harding has done well, in the opinion of close students of world events, in_answering Germany as he has. He has not closed the door to negotiations, but if the German coun- ter proposals are sufficiently sincere, there is no reason to believe that the allies themselves will not give ear, even though France embark on fu ther adventure May 1. 3.000 YEARS AGO Agdainst the Turks little fleet under the shadow of the Ida mountains, he set sail with his followers to Thrace—the same Thrace with which mighty Athens made an alliance in the fifth century B. C. which later fell into the hands of Philip of Macedon, and which 2s a re- sult of the world war has been added to the territory under the suzerainty of the King of Greece. Here he found.- ed the city of Enos. which even now commands the harbor in the Gulf of \En. at the mouth of the )Ilrlt:n river. Island Amchored by Chains. “Again driven to seek a home, the wanderer looked on Delos. Though today this smallest jsiand of the Cyclades is desolated and in ruins, scarcely one stone upon another, legends and history which cling to it always will be fascinating. The wa- ters 'in its one remaining fountain and the brilliant and unusual collec- tion of flowers whisper to us that Jupiter once fastened this floating bit of earth to the sea bottom with huge chains in order that it might become the birthplace of his son Apollo. To give credence to the story, you can find on the island the sacred lake, and excavations have revealed the eater and the early te entac y temple of “Thence Aeneas journeyed to Crete, the fourth largest island in the Medi- terranean. Today two-thirds of the island is a stony waste, its famous forests of cedars and cypresses hav- ing long been desolated, a little fer. tile 1and existing at the foot of Mount Ida. on which arc grown olives and currants. Canea, the capital, town of nearly 25000, with low white-washed houses, hugs the har- bor. But rich is the island in ruins, nd its museum houseg relics of a day five thousand y“s 2g0, when the ladics mf Crete di ed them- the countries would have been haz- In any contingency the European allies will stand together in the en- forcement of the treaty of Versailles selfish interest, it is a known fact|and as the reparations commission in- that today America's unpopularity |demnity figures among nations of the old world was and par- el of the general scheme of mak- any pay for wrongs of the And it is because of | past, it is hardly likely That Amer- ican influence would be furthered in the slightest degree by any movement to lessen the French demands. which sympathetic as it is to France, can hardly recon- cile the reparations figures with Ger- with~ President Hard- ing standing without the league of European governments have it within their power to stack ! the cards against him. Even might he condestend to intercede in the Ger- man reparations question, there is no nations would forsake the league or abandon the tenets of the supreme council merely at the behest of this govern- ment. particularly in view of the fact that America has expressed her desire to steer clear of alliances in anywise dealing with strictly European ques- Mediation at this time or in the fu- ture would be resented unless foreign to fry or desired this government to pull their chestnuts out of the fire for the to America of tinues its policy of aloofness what ‘THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. STORY THE WEEK HAS TOLDS C., APRIL 24, 1921_PART 2 BY HENRY W. BUNN. (Copyright, 1921; by The Washington Star.) HE following is a brief summary of the news of the world for the seven days ending April 23: . GREAT BRITAIN.—The strike situa- tion has not materially changed since last week. The miners' chiefs have not budged on their main issue, thesnational pool of profits. Dur- ing the week they have been down among the miners; they found then even less than them- selves disposed to yield on the main issue. A congress of miners’ delegates convened in London on Friday. They instructed their executive committee to meet the owners and government again, but to stand firm on the pool of profits; to report the result to them. A meeting took place on Friday. Little prog- ress was made, and an adjqurnment was taken to Monday. Possibly some kind of temporary agreement will be patched up; if for no other reagon, because the miners strike funds are running low. : * * %k %k What, the mining industry, what all British industry, the empire, are crying out for, is a lasting solution. Discussion of the situation by the press and by independent members of parliament is taking a line disconcerting to the government. It does not palliate the tactics of the miners’ chiefs, which in the matter of salv- age operations at the mines are admitted to have been vicious and, in effect revolutionary; it allows that the miners' chiefs have shown themselves throughout, to state it gently, stupidly obstinate. It goes with the govern- ment in rejecting nationalization as lethal to incentive to individual effort; it is disposed to reject the pool of profits plan (though not with- out due consideration) as tainted with the worst vice of natlonalization and leaning to the real thing. * ok ok k But it finds still more seriously against the government. It finds that, prior to the strike, Mr. Lioyd George exaggerated the temper of labor by the reiterated and perfectly unfair charge that the mass of workmen are revolutionary. It finds that the government, by contemptuously flouting the pool of profits plan, greatly* increased the obsti- nancy of the miners on that article. It finds that the government is quite too eager to make politi- cal capifal out of the strike (a weapon to its hand against the pretensions of the Iabor party). But these are criticisms of tactics; after all, minor matters. The criticism goes much farther and deeper; to matters of strategy; not to errors merely, but to neglect. It finds that the govern- ment has side-stepped the most important prob- lem with which it has been confronted; and that itwis primarily responsible for the present strike. An astonishing charge; but this criticism re- calls the royal commission which in 1919 inves- tigated. the mining industry. TNat commission reported for nationalization. Nationalization, is not the ticket. But (so goes the comment) that report clearly exposed .the utter inefficiency of the old system and should have put the govern- ment to reorganizing the mining industry on broad economic lines. The thing is perfectly feasible. Such organization should establish the mines on a generous paying basis; should provide a liberal standard of living and a guarantee of its continuance to the miners (the very thing for which the average miner is really striking). More important still, it should insure cheap coal, so necessary to British industry, so abso- lutely essential to British commerce. Thus I have attempted (a difficult matter) to interpret what seems to me the majority British sentiment on this situation of transcedent importance. I be- lieve thaty British public opinion will insist that the government (this or a successor) address itself at once to the great neglected probiem. * % X ¥ the Vatican, were “felt” as possible mediators, but discovered chilly to the touch. Finally, on April 20, the German government appealed to the President of the United States “to mediate the reparation question and to fix the sum to be paid by Germany to the allied powers,” eagerly urging him “to Secure the consent of the allied powers to such mediation.” and solemnly pledging the German governn.ent and people to abide by the award. People will hold this opinion and that as to the motives behind the German appeal, but, motives aside, it should have been evident to any but a German official that President Harding could not entertain the idea ofjacting as mediator or arbitrator. The American reply was almost instant. No mediation, of course. But the United States government “strongly desires that there should be an immediate resumption of negotiations, and reiterates its earnest hope that the German movernment will promptly formulate such pro- posals as would present a proper basis of dis- cussion. Should the German government take this course, this government will consider bringing the matter to the attention of the allied governments in a manner acceptable to them in order that negotiations may speedily be resumed.” The last sentence is a little ecryptic. Whatever its precise meaning, however, the United States government obviously stands ready to use its utmost efforts to get negotia- tions started again, if Germany will submit a reasonable offer. But I take it the allies have held themselves ready all along to give due consideration to any proposal presenting a “proper basis for discussion,” which might be submitted before May 1. Even to the point of suspension of the military action proposed for May 1, pending such due consideration; but they will not tolerate mere delaying tactics. The offer must be equivalent to the Paris program with no jokers. ¥ ok ok ok If no offer should be forthcoming from Ger- many, or only an offer patently unreasonable, be- ‘ fore May 1, then May 1 will be a sad day for Germany. French troops will occupy the Ruhr valley and adjacent districts and levy heavily to the reparation account. The developments of the coming week promise to be highly interesting. Let us hope, for Germany's sake, that she will not try any more bluffs. That cock won't fight; that comedy is cnded. Ah, it is wonderful how the whole world dances to our tune. Never was such a thing since the world began. It is even, to be sure, getting a bit fulsome. Germany is acting in hot haste on Mr. Hughes' suggestion and a new reparation offer is expected from her within a day or two. Presumably, coples will go simultaneously to the United States and the allies. Nobody expects that the proposals will be entirely satisfactory to the allies. All depends upon whether they present “a proper basis for discus- sion.”” Now, suppose that to the United States government they seem to present such a proper basis, but not so to the allies. Will not a new kind of embarrassment be injected into the situ- ation? Paris does not exactly resent, but she regrets the last clause of Mr. Hughes' reply to Germany. I had forgotten that little sum of twelve billion gold marks which Germany must pay before May 1; and the sundry items of Ger- man offending, especially in respect of disarma- ment; possibly, if satisfaction is not given on these heads (if not payment or execution, at least first-class guarantees) the Ruhr basin will be occupied, irrespective of a reparation proposal. But I fancy that, if a proposal presenting a proper basis for discussion appears, the Ruhr basin will not be occupied pending the considera- tion thereof. * % *x X RUSSIA.—I cite a report which, like most re- ports from Russia, I do not knw whether to be- lieve or disbelieve. Trotsky, addressing the projects: One of an offensive in the east. the other of a war of revenge against Poland. Offen- sive against whom in the east, pray. Against the Japanese in East Siberia, belike. Surely mot against the British in India with the precious trade agreement so recently signed and a war of revenge against Poland when the ink is hardly dry of the signatures to the Riga treaty. And such nice speeches as were made on that occa- sion! However, T would remark that I think it extremely likely that Trotsky frequently casts over those two projects in his mind: especially the latter. Trotsky also told the youngsters that the red army numbers 150,000 officers and mil- lic 1s of combatant troops. Yet we have been hearing on the best authority of extensive de- mobilization. At any rate, Litovinov told an As- sociated Press correspondent the other day that reports of soviet mobilizations on western fron- tiers are “the usual sort of lies,” and if Litovinov said so, it must be so. Same report as above: “Insurgents in the Ukraine and Siberia are playing the devil with the red forces; especially in Siberia.” Yet the soviet minister to Finland told us recently, in language of singular loveliness, “the few spas- modic events along the transsiberian have been liquidated.” I do not know what to believe. * ok k¥ NEAR EAST.—The allies have declared neu- trality toward the struggle in Anatolia. How- ever, the Franco-Turkish peace treaty signed in London several weeks ago, though the French had no purpose therein friendly to the Greeks (merely they were desperately anxious to get rid of that white elephant, Cilicia) operated to the prejudice of the Greeks, since it released some twenty thousand Turks for service against them. The Turks apparently read into that treaty what was not there and called on the French for active support against the Greeks. Gen. Gouraud in refusing it remarked that the French could not regard with equanimity the presence of red Rus- sians in the fleld against the Greeks. The Angora assembly has invited the sultan to pay a little visit to Angora. The sultan is in a dilemma. He fears that, if he should go, thé Kemalists would gently but firmly detain his sacred person; that, if he should decline, the Kemalists might proclaim another sultan. This is hard on a sick man. P * k k k. MISCELLANEOUS:—There will be a special allied conference, neat Trieste, commencing April 30, to consider measures for the relief of Austria. High time, if Austria is to resist the dangerous blandishments of Germany. Report has it that the United States is to have a rep- resentative at the conference. Indeed, at all important allied conferences in future. There is to be a conference in London next month be- tween British and Egyptian representatives, concerning the future of Egypt. There is a pretty story afloat that the Hun- garfan government will soon dissolve parlia- ment and order new elections upon the issue of the return of Charles of Hapsburg. The enthusiasts say it will all turn out just like the affair of Constantine of Greece. . The little entente (Czechoslovakia Roumania, Jugo- Slavia; Italy,. too, may be Counted in on the declaration) say it wo! In all probability it won't. S The new government-of-Ireland act went into effect on April 19. Doubtless the proposed sched- ule will be carried through without a hitch in Ulster. Elections will be held, a sufficient num- ber of representatives for the conduct of business will take their seats and the Ulster parliament will be opened on June 21 by the Prince of Wales, attended by all the premiers of the empire. As to the south of Ireland, all is dubious. There is a clamor for postponement of the elections there. Lloyd George is considering that matter. No important business was completed in Con- GERMAN Named New Assistant Secretary of Commerce CLAUDIUS H. HUSTON Of Chattanooga, Tenn. . Huston is a mative of Indiana one of the most succesaful business men in the state of Tenmessee. R — selves in high-heel shoes, big hats, corsets and styles that today would be called ‘Parisian,’ and when the houses of the inhabitants had meth- vorably with ours of fifty years ago. “At the mercy of the whim of the gods, the wanderers again must set forth and this time the Strophades, the two low-lying islets, today the sat of a small Greek monastery which gets its supplies from Zante, claimed them. Skirting the islands on the west coast of Greece, they came to Actium, a town on the prom- ontory of Actium, near the entrance to the Gulf of Ambracia. Here, pe! haps, a thousand years after the visit of Aeneas, Octavius Caesar defeated the combined fleets of Antony and Cleopatra. rth then they journeyed to Epirus, which for a long time was a part of Turkey in Europe. Now this portion of ancient Greece is back un- der the sheltering wing of the moth- er kingdom. The town then existing as Buthrotus, now is Butrinto, on the coast immediately opposite the Is- land of Corfu, and lies in the region which is vet in dispute between Al- bania and Greece. “The modern town of Kyme, near the site of the ancient Cumae, their next stopping place, before the world war, had an extensive trade with southern Russia. Then past Mount Aetna the exiles went, and the mighty volcano, which within our own life- time has shaken the earth beneath its feet with its rumblings and h: clouded the air with its smoke, burst forth in a spectacular eruption. Fol. lowing the coast line of southern Sicily they at length came to Trepani, the seaport of Sicily forty-six miles west of Palermo, which lures the modern globe-trotter with {ts nu- merous churches, its famous Madonna, its cameos and coral works, its mar- ble and alabaster quarries. Just a short distance from Drepanum, or Trepani, the Carthaginians deféated the Romans in 249 B.C. “Thence a storm took them to Car- thage. The site of the ancient city is still visible from any hill in Tunis, and is occupied by Sidi-bou-Said. There is a railway station, a post of: fice, a cathedral and a museum as well as a monastery and a hotel im the pretty little town, all Arab in its ar- chitecture and spirit. So Mohamme- dan is it that it is only recently that Christians have been allowed to sleep in the village. Excavations in the vi- cinity are revealing many Punic ob- Jecta” o e —Dr. Simons, it seems, has been “feeling” around; Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, KINGS EAGER TO LEARN WILL OF PEOPLE, DANIELS WRITES | 1 as Former Navy BY JOSEPHUS DANIELS, Former Secretary of the Navy. ARTICLE XI. When you speak of “the govern- ment” in any modern nation which retains a king, you never have the king in_mind at all. It means the same thing as when, in this country, we speak of “the Washington admin- istration.” The king has his palace and his functions, but no king, ex cept in a few remaining dynasties, has any power comparable with that of the President of the United States. It is_inconceivable that a king in any European country, having re- sponsible ministrics, should undertake to direct large public policies. He may talk in language of anclent days, now gone forever, about “my army” and “my navy” and “my subjects,” but these are meaningless words as to real power. King Georze’s Question. Speaking of their status, I am sure I vielate no proprieties by repeating a question which the King of England asked me when I was in London. I found later that it was a_question which had percolated through official circles and was the cause of no little merriment. It indicates, too, the Brit- ish sense of humor, which is better than it has been painted. “May I ask you a question,” said King George, “about a telegram which rumor says you sent to President Wil- son a short time after he reached Paris during the peace conference?’ “Certainly,” was my reply. And then King George, with a twin- kle in his eye, for he loves a story and is not wanting in humor, asked this question: “Is it true that you sent the fol- lowing message: * “Washington, D. C. ‘January, 1919. “To Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President, Paris, France. “‘Come home at once. Unless you do so the United States will become a republic. “ ‘JOSEPHUS DANIELS, ‘Secretary of the Navy. Story Was Popular. p: That evening at dinner at the home of e distinguished member of the government the same question was again asked me. And again in Scot- land by an important official just re- turned from London. It was one of those stories which go the rounds, never being accredited to any par- ticular person, but remaining cur- rent in official circles as a stock anec- dote at dinners where the talk goes jargely to questions relating to pub- lic men or public policies. ‘These inner-circle storiés are gen- erally told you in the utmost confl- dence, and when you are new in ‘Washington you think lher must be held sacred, though you know they are of little importance. Generally, if you have observed the caution “not to mention this story,” you find that everybody in officialdom already knows it or it is in process of going the rounds. That fact became 8o ap- parent that, a short time after Mr. Wilson became President, a gentle- man told him he wished to tell him a secret to be held in confidence. “No,” said President Wilson, “I can- not take it. When I first came here I let some friends tell me stories which I was assured were most confidential. 1 carried these stories concealed on my person, thinking 1 was the sole recipient of @ confidence. Aftir a while I leafied that everybody 1 { graduating class of the Moscow Military Academy, told them he was casting over in his mind two Personal Glimpses of European Monarchs Head Saw Them Here and Abroad. came i contact with had been told the samé extra-confidential story. “Never again. If you tell me the story and I accept it in confidence and keep it I lose my interes “If I tell the story, receive fidence, I lose my principle. King George Is Democratic. I found King George most affable and chatty. He loves a good story, and can tell one most effectively. He impressed me as exceedingly well in- formed and intelligently alert on all matters of world concern. He was quite unceremonious and democratic, and I gathered from things he said and from his general attitude that he had reached the con- clusion that the time had come in history when a wise king would make himself as unobtrusively useful to his people as possible if he wanted to_retain his crown and throne. He seemed much attached to his horses and cows and to take a gen- uine pride and interest in his gar- den and conservatories. The British talk about their king as a “nice, good-natured little man.” As a matter of fact, the British have a great deal of respect and affection- ate regard for him. He did two things during the war which pleased them—he worked very hard at what- ever the government asked him to do and he kept his hands off the poli- tics and management of the war. . British Navy Is “King’s.” I #aid a moment ago that when the King of England says “my navy,” “my army,” etc, it is a term that really means nothing. But that is not exactly correct as it applies to the British navy. It is a singular fact, and an anomaly, that the navy of that country is his. No naval officer takes an oath to support the parliament or the government. He is the king's officer, not the nation’s, in law. When parliament took over from the kings all their other pow- ers the navy still remained ‘“the king’s navy.” to be directed by him and to uphold the power of the throne in distant colonies and at home. And that remains to this day. What would happen if “the king’s navy” did not follow the decrees of the government?’ If Lloyd Georgs should issue orders to a naval officer that might not be in keeping with the royal desire? ‘It could not hap- pen, for no king would express a pur- pose contrary to the policy of “the government.” So in actual practice, after all, “the king’s navy” is rather a fiction. One thing I learned at first hand about King George and the Prince of Wales. They know not only about the British navy, but about all navies. They are keenly interested and fully informed about navy policies and practical naval operations. The king is a naval officer and was trained just like other young Englishmen who make service in the navy a career. His full knowledge of naval matters at home and abroad made our discus- sion interesting and informing., and when the Prince of Wales came to Washington he had pleasant recollec- tions of a visit to Admiral Rodman's fiagship and of the close co-operation of the men of the navies of the two countries in the world war. They had a high opinion of Ambassador Walter Hines Page, who left an impression in England that will give him a place for all time as one of America’s ablest reprosentatives at the court of St. James. The King of Belgium. After Joffre, no visitor who took a great part in the war received quite the welcome from the heart which the Amerlcan people gave to Albert, King of the Belgians. was due to % . I ! 1 gress during the past week except ratification of the Colombia treaty after a spicy discussion. May Be Appointed Head Of the Shipping JAMES A. FARRELL, President of the United States Steel Corporation, who is expected by offi- ecials in Washington to be named hip- ping Board. Mr. Farrell in sald to be gain considering the appointment after twice declining it. (Copyright by three things: 1. His heroic stand for the rights of his people to keep Bel- gium “a country and not aroad” when in 1914 resistance to Germany secmed the hopelessness of helplessness. 2. The story of Belgium in war days, told so clearly and so beautifully by Ambassador Brand Whitlock, who re- mained at his post and rendered great service to humanity, and 3. Albert’s own courage and steadfastness and devotion to the welfare of the Bel- gians. 1 found upon talking with him at Brussels and in America that he was keeping up with measures touching the prosperity of Belgium, and deep- ly interested in the trend all over Eu- rope that presaged a larger share in government by the people. Indeed, all the kings I talked with had their ears to the ground. There is not 2 public officer in the United States, de- pendent for his tenure upon re-elec- tion, who is keener to know what the people want done than are the crown- ed heads of Europe who still retain their thrones. King Albert a “Teetotaler.” Albert would not be called a prohibi+ tionist, though he is what wl:mml be called in America “a teetotaler.” Though wines are served on his own table, he does not partake, believing that abstinence is the best course to pursue. With King George refraining from wine during the war, with King Albert a teetotaler and the King of Italy a temperance man, those who hope to see the drink habit pass are at least in good society. Though his cousin, Prince Udine, and Marconi and distinguished Italian officers came to America on a war mission, the King of Italy did not find it possible to come to America for conferences with his American as- sociates. during the war or since. As a matter of fact he was seldom in his own capital. If the last war had been a cavalrymen it would-have Board Would Have Expcrts AWYER PROPOSES ENVOYS OF HEALTH in Sanitation Sent to Aid Latin American Countries. Trade Encouragement Plans. BY BEN MeKELWAY. N the United States public health service, Brig. Gen. Charles E. Sawyer, President Harding’s per- sonal physician, who has been detailed to make a general survey directed toward the co-ordination of various governmental agencies deal- ing with the public welfare, sees a splendid instrument to bring about a practical pan-Americanism, sympathetic and mutually helpful relations be- tween the republics of the south and this country necessary for our com- mercial development in South Amer- ica. hope to see a public health serv- ice.” Dr. Sawyer told the writer, “that will send a man into every country of South America, where they will serve the dual purpose of making those countries safe places for Amer- icans to live in, and at the same time help the South American to put into practice what we have learned in sanitation and care of the public health. “In South America, Central Amer- ica and Mexico fhere lies an im- mense fleld for our commercial de- velopment. But before we can trade with the South American, win his confidence, establish a re- lationship that will assure him we want his good will as well as his trade. “The United States has made more progress ip sanitation than any country in the world, and the Ameri- can doctor has a great opportunity to educate his South American neigh- bor in what he has learned along these lines.” Gen. Sawyer points to Panama as an example of what the American medi- cal man can do toward the develop- ment of any country. He recalls a visit made there in 1913, when he be- came impressed with the unspeakable conditions existing from an ignorance of sanitation. The Panama canal alone, he declares, is a monument dedicated to Gen. Gorgas and the medical men who worked with him. What has been accomplished in Panama, Gen. Sayyer believes, can be accomplished in’ other countries of South America, where, in many cases, we must | him are former Senator Samuel H. Piles of Caiifornia, who has been recommended by the Ohib state dele- gation for an appointment to some South American country. Henry Lane Wilson, former ambas- sador to Mexico, probably will’ be glven an ambassadorship to a Latin American country, and Argentina is mentioned as a probable post. He has been recommended by the Indiana delegation. Maj. Gen. Enoch H. Crowder, judge advocate general of the Army, is mentioned ax minister to Cuba, to succeed Boas Long. who | was appointed by former Secretary of State Bryan. Gen. Crowder is eligible |to retire from the Army. and it is understood he would be pleased with the Cuban post. It is not considered likely~that E win V. Morgan, United States am- bassador to Brazil, who has been in the diplomatic service for many years. will be removed. * % % x The Department of State is con- sidering what policy it may pursue with regard to extonding aid_ to American exporters who have ship- ped large quantities of goods to South American countries and Cuba, where, on account of the exchange situation and generally overstocked j market, the merchandise has been al- lowed to accumulate in warehouses and the importers, who bought on credit, are unable to pay for them. While the situation has been more or less bad in South America, it has reached an acute stage in Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia. | A delegation claiming to repre- | sent 80 per cent of the cotton textile goods exporters of the United States was received at the State Depart- ment last week and discussed the sit- uation wtih officials there, empha. sizing the need for aid with regard to their Cuban shipments, where $20.- 000,000 worth of goods are said to be tied up. Further conferences on the subject probably will be held, the State De- partment in the meantime. consid- ering what mcasures may be taken to relisve the situation. Cuba has been singled out as presenting the greatest problem. because our trade identical conditfons exist. Our help, given freely and in a spirit of friend- liness and co-operation, will win the gratitude of every South American. Such practical aid as our public health service is able to extend to the Latin American countries, Gen. Sawyer poinis out, is important from a com- mercial standpoint. South Americans are immune to many diseases to which Americans fall victim. Ameri- cans must be safeguarded when they B0 abroad in the interest of their country. To trade with the South American one must speak his language, and Gen. Sawyer is a strong advocate of Spanish as a course to be offered in our schools and colleges. He advises every young American to study Span- ish as one of the necessary languages of the future. . Gen. Sawyer is an enthusiastic be- liever in the proposed memorial to Gen. Gorgas which would be estab- lished in Panama in the form of an in- stitution for the study of tropical digeases. The plan is receiving the wholesale approval of medical men and institutions in this country, as ‘well as those of South Ameriga. “Such 2 monument,” memory of 2 man who did so in the interest of South America. * ¥ % % Much interest centers on appoint- ment of diplomatic representatives in jouth America, for through these men the administration’s announced policy of friendliness and co-operation with the Latin American countries will be carried out. There is plenty of specu- lation concerning those V*ho will be named, but there has been little of- ficial discussion on the subject. George T. Summerlin, who arrived in this city last week from Mexico City, where he has been in charge of the American embassy since the resignation as ambassador of Under- secretary of State Fletcher, is under- stood to be considered as Upited States minister to Uruguay. Mr. Sum- merlin has been the diplomatic service for the last eleven years, hav- tng eerved at Tokio, Peking and Chile. He was at the last named post when Mr. Fletcher was minister to Chile and later when the legation was raised to an embassy. Mr. Summerlin thoroughly understands the Latin American situation generally and his service in Mexico is considered to have been of the highest character. Ambassador Shea, a Wilson ap- pointee, is leaving Chile for the United States in about ten days, and among those mentioned to Succeed been truly said of him, as it was said of Stonewall Jackson, “His headquar- ters are in the saddle. The camp, the trenches, the place of peril, the place of comradeship with Italian soldiers was the headquar- ters of King Humbert. He does not come up to the ancient idea that a king should stand head and shoulders above his subjects. When you are presented you feel a little disappoint- ed as to his height, but not other- wise. He received the American naval party wearing the uniform of an of- ficer of the Italian army. He looked !every inch the seasoned soldier and | speaks English well. Visit to Italy’s King. l He showed his pleasure in greeting Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page, Who was beloved by Italians for his personal qualities and his distinguish- ed service in trying days. This was before Ambassador Page's book was printed. That will add to Italian ap- preciation, as it has informed Amer- { jcans, and is one of the most valuable | contributions of the war history. Our visit to the king was just be- fore Premier Orlando left him during ! the critical days of the peace confer- {ence. He evidently was following [ closely its deliberations and talked about the problems which after-war conditions left for solution in Italy and all that tountry bordering on the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. He regarded them as grave and calling for world study and world consid- tion. TR oke with genuine appreciation of the pleasure the visit of the Presi- dent and Mrs. Wilson gave to him and to the Italian people; of the long and friendly relations between the two countries, and particularly the navies of the two nations. Felt Breakers Ahead. Somehow, I felt the eritical impor- tance of the impending break at Parts as we talked, not from anything the king said, but from his impressive 1 attitude as he touched upon some of {the questions which have since be- | come 80 serious. He knew there were breakers ahead, and was even then nerving himself to pilot the ship through the stress of storms that broke within_a week after I was Rome. In ROMwith Ambassador Page, our company stood in the Coliseum and fooked into. the bluest of blue skies, With a Caproni carrying a dozen pas- sengers flying over our heads, the re- fection came over me that the world Bad traveled far since Caesar's le- gions marched through the streets of imperial Rome. p Westward the course of empire has taken its flight, but new Rome carries in its bosom the spirit of hope and of adventure which.beckons it to its ancient greatness When President Wilson visited Italy shortly after the armistice Boni con- ducted him through the sacred w of Rome. Pointing out-the Gen. Sawyer declares, “will outlast any memorial of marble. and is the greatest thing that could be done to perpetuate the with Cuba last year was greater than the combined trade with Argentin: Mexico and Brazil. * % x % Discussion as to the probable rep- resentative in the United States of the newly formed Federation of Cen- tral America places Dr. Julio Bianchi, Guatemala minister to the United States, as the probable man who will be selected. Before the recognition of this country formally is extended to the federation. Dr. Bianchi, it is said, may change his status to that of a delegate to this country, and upon recognition, which is expected when the federation is formally formed, Dr. Bianchi will be named ambassador, and the three legations here of Guatemala, Honduras and Salvador combined and made an em- bassy. * ok k% Senor Capalani, Italian minister to Venezuela, was a visitor in Wash- ington last week, coming here after attending the ceremonies incident to unveiling the statue of Bolivar in New York. The new minister is on his way to Venezuela. * % *x ¥ The insular and foreign division of the American Red Cross has received an appeal from the Porto Rican health department for volunteer serv- ice, through the Red Cross, to help in the preservation of life on the island, where the high death rate among young children indicates need -for instruction of mothers in the carg of their children, Miss Katherine d'Olier, foPmerly in charge of the Red Cross nursing service in Greece, has sailed for Porto Rico to assist in establishing a service of wvisiting nurse: Miss Beatriz Lassalle of the Junior Red Cross of Porto Rico has been in ‘Washington conferring with mem- bers of the children's bureau in re- gard to a_“children’s year” planned for Porto Rico. * * % The ambassador of Peru and the ministers of Cuba and Ecuador have members of the provisional board of been invited to become honorary the Gorgas Memorial Institute for the Study of Tropical Diseases. Dr. William C. Braisted, chairman of the board and former surgeon general of the Navy, hopes to have the insti- tute in running order by January Col. Seiler, United States Arm Assistant Surgeon General McCoy, of the public health service and Com- mander Harper of the Navy Medical Corps have been appointed 3 commit- tee on plans, construction and equip- ment of the proposed research laboratory to be maintained in con- nection with the institute. Romolus and other sacred places, the distinguished Roman said to the American President, as he presented him with branches of laurel and myrtle: “Today I offer these symbols to you, the upholder of the freedfom and civilization of peoples.” President Wilson replied: “These sacred symbols speak a great and pro- found language.” The reply ®f the great archeolo- gist was the most beautiful tribute ever paid to our countrymen: “You Americans have something more sa- cred still, but you carry it in your hearts—a love of humanity.” > To be worthy of that tribute is in- spiration and incentive to American: today, tomorrow, forever. ‘opyright, 1921, by John F. Dille. Gopy- ri:‘lst nb’ykflhlihml Neymlber Service. Cop; right in Great Britain, Canada and throughou France. All rights reserved, inciuding tram: lation inio foreigu languages, including th Scandinavian. Unauthorized reprinting for any purpose forbidden. ) (Another article by former Seere- tary Daniels will be printed in The Star tomorrow.) NO TOLLS ON . S. SHIPS IN GANAL DEMANDED (Continued from First Page.) zens or subjects, in respect of the conditions or_charges of traffic,” or otherwise. Such conditions and charges of traffic shall be just and | reasonable.” ‘ It is upon tkis language that the opponents of free pagsage of Ameri- can vessels through the canal o their claims. They insist that- it means the vessels of the United States shall be treated just like those of other nations. The proponents: of free passage, however, insist that the language was not intended to cover the United States, which put nearl $400,000,000 into building the camal, and did the work, but that the Upit- ed States naturally reserved the right to extend privileges to American ves- sels. . ELIGIBILITY RULE WAIVED. The year limit of eligibility has been waived by the President to per- mit the reinstatement of Hugh Mitchell as a computer in the coast and_geodetic survey, where he was employed from August, 1898, uptil December. 1911 That action was recommended by the Secretary !of Commerce with the concurrence, of the civil service .'commtulon “in view