South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-02
BY ANDRE TARDIEU,
I'ranCc's High Commissioner 90 the
United states.


PARIS. Dec. tby mail to New
YorkJ-Every Frenchman should
understand the tremendous aid Civ
en- BY the United states 70 France.
the solidarity and fraternal spirit Of
the great republic OF America whose
collaboration in our hour of need
has done so much 20 assure 20 Us
the necessities OF our everyday life
and our absolute military requisites
In every imaginable way, from
money and food supplies. 20 military
and naval cooperation, America has
rendered Us invaluable assistance
and placed US under an eternal debt
20 her.
While il is hard 10 give brief
resume OF what I and my colleagues
have accomplished in Washington, a
summary will show that since May,
1917. the United states has loaned
US sI.1SO.OOO.O 600. has made possible
the doubling Of our imports Of pow
der. has. since September, arranged
20 supply US with huge quantities of
wheat. by December will have aug
mented the tonnage at our disposal
bv 80 percent. will further increase
Fl by so percent during 1918; will
raise an army OF 100000 men, if
necessary. to cooperate with US oy
land. BY sea has already established
an efficient patrOlling Of the waters
that has assured the comparative
safety Of navigation.
A simple indication OF the task we
had 20 accomplish at Washington
will give an idea Of the nature of
our mission The budget we had TO
pass upon there represented 10000
600. 600 francs, twice the total bud
get OF France in peace times. 1 give
a balance sheet Of the items in
their respective order Of import
ance.
Gave Financial Aid.
The financial question dominates
all others. for. France which IL
three years has spent more than
100 billions. the first condition Of
victory is the ability 20 pay her
debts. Before the entry Of the
United States into the war it was
only with the greatest difficulty, and
in always insufficient figures that we
were able 10 obtain credit in New
York for our payments in dollars.
In 1914 we had endeavored 10 place
there a credit of $5O,OOO,OOO, Sc
cured by French treasury bonds.
We succeeded in placing only
$4,000 900. payable in 1915, 1916
and during the FIRST four months of
1917. diverse operations had assured
us S65O.OOO.OOO. at six or seven per
cent
But that was insufficient, and
England. which had besides made
considerable purchases for Us for
which she advanced the necessary
money. had TO place a further sum
OF sg24.OOO. 600 at our disposition
for debts payable by the French
government Since May, 1917. how
ever. the government of the United
States. which must not only support
IT'S own expenses in the war. but a
great share Of those of its allies, has
responded in the most thorough
fashion 10 the demands we have
made upon IT. The total of the sums
that / have obtained since May up
10 Dec 81. 1917, represents $1,130,-
O00. 900 at four and one-half per-
cent This sum has sufticed 10 meet
all our payments in dollars without
recourse 20 England 1t has fur
Their enabled us 10 reimburse tbs
British treasury 10 the extent OF
S235.OOO. GOO. representing the
amount il had disbursed for US il
the purchase OF materials i'm th'
III
chase or cereals under the inter-al
lied agreement.
Thus before May we were con
stantly on the lookout for guaran
ties we could give. laborious ant
intricate com binations for the Sc
curity Of loans 20 US. always men
aced by the calling in of short tern
loans and of reimbursements tina
had to be made. Since May we hav
had one source Of credit. one rate o
interest and the choice of repay
uent within the next 30 years Be
fore May we had obtained in g
months s65O.OOO.OOO at six an
seven percent, since May, in eigh
months 100000 at four an
one-half percent. Before May a
appeal 10 England for an additions
S224.OOO. 900; since May. the repay
nent 10 England of $235. 900 900.
These figures sum up the situatio
that should be clearly understood D.
generous solidarity OF our America
ally. I will add. TO indicate an
other aspect OF the problem, that d
our new purchasing organization "
have during the four months q
June. July, August and Septembe
realized an economy OF over $1,000
0OO. and the saving Will be eve
more sensibly increased in tn
months that are 10 follow
Armament Furnished.
Next in importance 20 the finance
comes the armament For us IA
problem consisted IN covering on
own needs for as long a period q
possible without interfering wit
The actual needs Of the new Amer
an army and navy that was sprine
ing up TO was IN this rivalry q
reed between the two countries tina
tEe German press based its hopes c
disagreement between the allies.
hope that was doomed 20 rapid dis
appointment