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Show ii, S. NOT SEEKING ENEMIES WASHINGTON. March 27. "The sustained attempt to Inveigle the United States Into bickerings of the Old World have taken a new turn," declares the Republican Publicity ns- ( social Ion, through lis president, Hon. Jonathan IlouineJr.. "It Is sugges 'd that America assume Ihe role of arbitrator In the situation that has presented Itself between Germany and theallics over the quest Ion of reparations und the resultant occupation occupa-tion of German leriilory. Just why the United Stutes should undertake such a delicate mission Is not apparent appar-ent from the point of lew of Its own welfare. Whatever judgment might be rendeied, a host of new enemies to America would' spring up. Tho decision would necessarily be n compromise com-promise a retreat to sonio extent from the demands that the allies hare steadfastly adhered to. Allied feeling against America would be In proportion to the extent of that abandonment aban-donment of principles for which their representatives have fought. Again the compromise would put upon Germany Ger-many obligations In excess of tho maximum sum she has Indicated her nullity to pay. Hence nu American decision, should It be made, would bo denounced by Germany as well as by thu allies; "Out why-Is It a matter for nibl-tratlon nibl-tratlon nt nil? There was a war. .Germany wus vanquished; pinctlcnlly I she surrender'ed unconditionally. The allies nro the Victors. They nre en- I 'gaged In the business of dictating terms of peace to the losers. Tho i UnltedState8 has no Interest 'In those terms so long as they do not Interfere with American, -rights; ', In fact, so far as those terms are concerned, con-cerned, the United States Is In the position -of a neutral. It Is a new suggestion In International relations thnt n neutral nation' should take ay part In the preparation of peace terms resulting from a war that has been fought to a decision. "Hut suppose for the sake! of argument ar-gument thnt' a question exists that Is suitable for nrbtralon. Where Is tho league of nations, and nil the machinery of the international court that we are told some months ago had been set up?. Now Is the time for the league and court to assert their oxcuse for existence. Hut of course It is silly to expect either one of those organizations to take a single sin-gle stitp of its own violation. They aro energized Into action, only, when tho Hlg Three or Four press tho button. And apparently it suits the interests of those powers first to attempt at-tempt to entangle the United' States in their troubles. "Arbitration has n seductive Bound Ordinarily It connotes peace, an avoidant av-oidant of conflict, and the diffusion of brotherly love among all concerned, concern-ed, Dut tho part tho United States la to bo asked to play, according to reports, is no true arbitration. Nominally Nom-inally It may be such, but really Its acceptance would Involve this country coun-try anew in all the strife of Europe from which, at tho present moment, we aro happily free. 'We seek no part In directing thu destines of the Old World. We do not mean to be entangled.' "ThoBo were the words of President Presi-dent Harding when ho assumed office and their sentiment should bo as rigidly rig-idly adherd to In the faco of an insidious in-sidious invitation to arbitrate as It was followed by tho Senate In rejecting re-jecting the covenant of the league ol nations." |