The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-11-18
HENRY CLEWS'
 WEEKLY LETTER

The world is adjusting itself to a peace basis as rapidly as possible. Greater or less political disturbance must be anticipated; for the problems of reconstruction are infinitely great CT and more complex than ever be- fore experienced. AS Lloyd George aptly sad, many new nations have been born out of this conflict, and their preservation will depend upon the successful establishment of a League of Nations, which must also look to 1t that the armaInents of the various nations are reduced to min mum. Another sentiment of high value, expressed by the British Pre- Inier as we'll as by President Wilson, was that now the war was ended there should be no vengefuI policies toward Germany; policy strikingly Justified by the results of Britatn's magnanimous treatment of the Boers after the war in South Africa.
 The tragic struggle just ended cost the world a price utterly beyond com- prehension. Debts incurred by the various belligerents amount to some where near 0,0o0,00o,000, of which 38 billions belong to Great Bri- tain, 2S billions to Germany, 26 bfl- lions to France, 26 billions to Russia and IS billions to the United States, about half of the latter representing loans to our Allies To these sums must be added the heavy amount paid out of current expenses, and from direct taxation, which in the case of the United States and Great Britain amounted to about one-third of their newly acquired debts The loss of property in the war zones of Trance, Belgium and elsewhere runs LID into tremendous figures; 50 does the Allied and neutral shipping de- stroyed by submarines. Other items must also be taken into account, such as crops wasted, crops not raised, in- dustries ruined, new enterprises kill ed. construction delayed, capital di- verted, foreign trade disrupted and worldwide commercial disorganiza- ton; all of which, if combined would mount up into figures still more staggering than those given above Even then such losses are as nothing compared with the millions of dead estimated at about ten millions, and the many more millions of maimedi or with the pain and misery of those who suffered behind the lines; or witt the setback to civilization; or with the irreparable injuries to moral stan' dards and the bitter hatreds whiof will require generations for efface- ment
 As yet the wonderful change iron war to peace has not been fully re- alized. Terms of the arn1stice art drastic and severe, but not fn the less unjust, vindtctive or revengeful. Tn Allies could easily have dealt harsh ly with a crushed foe, but wisely re trained. Final peace terms will. o course, be adjusted by fhe Peace Com mission now being organized. Ger many has yet to face costs and in dernnities for the crimes sh wrought, but such punishment a may bs imposed will after all be a nothing to what Germany will suffe from the Hell of Hate which she ha herself cpeated within the minds an hearts of her own people.
 Disqualification has already begur Military operations are suspended and though neither army nor nav will be materially reduced for som time to come, industrial and com
 nercia1 activities will gradually re trace their steps back to normal. Nc a few reductions and cancellations ( nunition orders have already bee effected. Others should follow Very soon the government will mod fy or withdraw its control over 1T dustry and commerce. Such move ,Vnents it is safe to say will be effecte gradually, and great care is being e1 ercised by the government to avoi throwing our economic machiner into confusion. In not a few case