Apr. 14.
Wira profound regret we have disagreed with the British Government's policy during these last days in regard to Germany. It is not on grounds of sentiment that we have done so, although feeling might well have influenced the whole world in supporting France. For we must never forget those critical days of 1914 when France had to bear the brunt of the German onrush. We and the whole of the world owe more than can be told to the courage of Marshal Joffre at the first battle of the Marne and later on to the genius of Marshal Foch, the greatest of modern soldiers, to whom we finally entrusted our destinies. These were considera tions entitling the French point of view in the present crisis to the utmost deference. But they are superseded by the grave events of later date, and it is on the score of these alone that we deplore the British Cabinet's present attitude, and at the same time applaud the firm, unequivocal and of the French. Looking the situation fairly and square-since the signing of the armistice, we are bound to consider that France is taking the correct action at the moment, and we believe that later on Great Britain will acknowledge her debt to the French Government. For however hopefully we look forward tu future peace, we are simply unable to ignore a whole series of unpleasant facts.
The armistice denoted an appalling defeat in the field to the German army. The military leaders called it a political defeat and threw the whole blame upon the cabinet in Berlin. We have all hoped—in our best League of Nations ame of mind—for a resuscitated Germany, for a purer Germany to emerge from the ruins of a militaristic one, to be a credit to civilization and a benefit to the world. But it is clear that the Germans themselves, though they preach the new Germany, have no better idea than a powerful,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.