The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-28
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OUR DEBT TO FRANCE.


stand in regard to the extension
of credit to France. While there
may be some question as to the pro.
prety at this time Of making a gift
to the French Republic of billion
dollars, there can be no question as
to our duty in loaning money on the
same terms that France did to us
when we were trying to free our
selves from British domination. 4 Z
When the Tribune, in common
with. other newspapers Of the nation
was asked for an ,opinion as to the
terms upon, which this nation should
loan money to France, it wired:
THE United States should DC. no
less for France than France did for
the United States, ,..-.t-,.. 1885,,
Citizens Of INorth' Dakota will hard
ly agree with Governor Frazier's re-
ply, which is as follows. 4.+", ~a.
81, do not favor gift by the United
States to France, although | have a
great deaf of sympathy for that coun-
tfys II the muntton manufacturers,
Wall Street brokers and others who
have made enormous war profits
could be prevailed upon to make
donation of a billion dollars | believe
it would meet with general approval
OF course, Governor Frazier in TAX
ing this attitude speaks only as an in
dividual, not as governor of North
Dakota. His position is identical
with that assumed by most Of the So
cialists OF America, who cry out
against any profit made by the bank
ers and munition makers.
Speaking of war profits, have not
the farmers of North Dakota prosper
ed, also. How are we going to sep
arate Mr. Frazier the holy from the
unholy profits?
We do not like to class Governor
Frazier with those demagogues who
seek to feed prejudices and arouse
class luminosity. His response to The
World, however, is not logical.
Suppose this nation we're involved
in a war. Would Governor Frazier
condemn the war department. if 1t
purchased munitions of''warE@ from
Germany, France, England, or from
any country that could supply them?
The bankers, the munition makers
and the bourses of those nations
would be making enormous profits
out Of our calamity. But the United
States would be getting in return the
wea pons to defend itself against the
enemy
Is there anything more criminal
about the war profits of the bankers,
the munition and war supply makers
than there is about the profits Mr..
Frazier may make from the wheat he
sells to the Allies at war prices to sus-
tain fighting strength in the army?
It IS SO easy and so cheap to raise
hue and cry against the other fell
lows war profits.
Carried to a logical conclusion,
many millions in this nation are the
direct beneficiaries of war profits.
North Dakota farmers among others
have had their incomes increased
from the same source.
Can Governor Frazier give any val
i'd reason why the bankers and NUM-
tior makers should make gift to
France any more than thousands of
others benefting from war business.
among whom the farmers are no small
minority?
TIE French government gave aid
and sustenance to this nation during
the Reyolution. The Republic, if pos
sibea. should be favored in all bust
ness dsqlings. A gift may be imprac-
licai IS &,
- caaFi
- ftSSes tak ~ r ~