Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-20
FRANCE WANTS OUR FRIENDSHIP
Proposes Reciprocal 6usiness Rsla-
tions at Close Of War;

Correspondence Associated Pressl
Paris. Nov. 30-'tHow is France go
ing to pay the bill? BY applying to
productive occupations the effort she
has sustained in war" in the opinion
| of NJ. Raoul Peret. former minister Of
commerce. In an interview with the
Associated Press he also declared that
the theory of reciprocity ought to he
applied TO the commercial relations be-
tween France and the United States
after the war. VI. Peret is now rap :
porteur' of the budget in the chamber
of deputies--a post equivalent tok that
of chairman of the Ways and Means
committee of the house of representa-
tlves. ~
Alexandra Ribot, minister of finance,
has had the delicate task of borrowing
the unprecedented sums that have been
swallowed up by war. Raoul Perst
who has not much more than half of
NJ. Ribot's years. has before him the
task of finding the wherewithal to liq-.
uidate the debt
M Ribot. by Ills prompt action in
issuing short term bonds. rendered an
lnestimable servicesto France says NJ
Peret HE gave the French people
chance to show their confidence they
brought him so much money that Il
was not until the sixteenth month OF
hostilities that he found il expedient to
issue longer term bonds. Investments.
iii French bonds are never gamble;
yet, in a sense, the purchase OF these
securities was wager on the result Of
the conflict and upon the ability of
France 70 foot the hill French peas
ants, laboring men, mechanics. capi-
talIsts-men and women of all classes
that have money saved up--have been
wagering in that way a billion mou;a
for nearly two years that France VIII
triumph. Thirty-three and a half nli-
lion francs. all told NJ. Ribot found in
two, years time in the pockets of our
people ..rr -s
France in 4 two-yearS effort. ac-
complished IN military preparation
what it took Germany forty five years
to do. The same effort applied to in
dustrial activity will do as much in
solving the grave financial problem the
war will have left on our hands, but Al
is scarcely necessary TO say that we
shall need time to restore our finances.
TT is difficult, and perhaps futile, to
make estimates while the great effort
is going on. but. supposing the war
adds 10000. 600. 900 francs 10 our pres
ent national debt Of 10000. 100000 we
shall owe 100, 900. goo. 0O9 francs. That
involves an annual interest of 5000
600, 600 francs. and is Sufficient. to re-
,Guire serious reflection; We, il does not
fr;ghten the French people upon whom
the charge is going to fall. They bring
their money into the treasury as freely
today as they did after the battle OF
the Marine when we thought ii might
be over in less than year. and they
know exactly what they are doing
France has great reasons for wish
ing to promote closer relations with
the United States" said NJ. Peret, in
conclusion. There ape reasons of SER
siment and policy besides business rea-
sons. We shall want to see You use
more Of our products than before, and
we shall need more from you. What is
desirable, even necessary To facilitate
these growing exchanges IS a CONNER
cial tariff system. Your at valorem
tariff is the obstacle. 1t almost KEEP.
our industries away from the San
Francisco fair We are happy now
that they went there. and We have been
glad to see your Industrial representa-
tives here. Ii is to be hoped that out
of closer intercourse may come a So
luton to your great benefit as we'll az
ours. 1t is the theory of reciprocal adj
vantages that ought 10 be applied