Evening journal., 1919-07-30
Is Boulevard Lanncs.

fdflSt June ID, lJlJ--
The question has been asked how
much longer do we consider we must
continue our work as war measure,
and after such time. what Is the fur
ther policy OF the orgsnizallong
Before answering this question, Il IS
necessary TO make a general slate
ment OF the situation In France as We
ind II In relation TO rehabilitation and
reconstruction In the devastated area.
In agreement with authorities who
lrmly believed that the restoration OF
devastated France lay In the principle
OF reparation aud not charity. we have
kept in close touch with laws for re-
paration passed since 1918. and have
striyen TO aid and encourage the in
habliants OF our region TO benefit by
them. Right here we wish to recog-
nize that during the last two years Of
our work we have had constant cyl
dence that the French themselves had
never lost confidence In their own
powers 10 restore France. provided
they were gwen the means 10 start
afresh That really is the basic prin-
oiple OF Loucheurism or protection D
which may have been a mistaken pol
Icy to establish at this momont when
Frsnce possesses no raw materials or
machinery for production; but until
peace was signed. and Frances credit
unassailable, Loucheur maintained he
could not open ports to machinery and
material for which France was unable
to pay
Since the armistice six months ago,
the Minister Of Finance had not made
any declaration until the latter part OF
May. HIS exposition Of the situation in
France was as follows
In 1911, Frances population was 81
100000 Of these, eight million were
mobilized
Her military losses amount approxi- |
mately 10 100000 men, and approx |
mately 100000 mutilated, who are
now on pension list
Human loss OF capital In all cver
two and a half million men defln tely I,
lost 10 national activity
Her civilian population shows a
marked retrogression in its number 1
owing 10 the war In the eeventy-six /
departments not invaded by the enemy, /
he Oflcial Journal recently reports a
surplus Of deaths over births. with
)ut considering military losses. This
a loss in four years Of t.
10000 civilians. as a result Of war
In the invaded departments IL has
,een impossible SO far 10 obtain full
estimates. Families are still scattered
md in suspense waiting for informa-
ion. but a mortality Of 10000 has al
eady been offlcially recorded Here, we
Ind old men. where France left strong
manhood Nor can we estimate the
oes 10 France Of children who would
lave been born, and now never shall /,
le born. /.
The return Of Alsace Lorraine n
rance. procures TO her a supplement
II about 100000. Here again 10 Is too
srly 10 give proper estimates. The
migration from Alsaee Lorraine OF It's
lien population is not yet accom-
lished
Now for material losses: II was ex-
ected that Germany would recognize
hat she should pay full war damages
{ least. BY the Peace Treaty what
! the proportion OF payment to he
1ade by Germany to France, and what
roporilon Of her war indebtedness /
gin q enable her TO meetg 4, "
before lN-l 'fNAllldAf - " fNa N+tr
lilies twenty-five billions OF dollars.
n this amount. however. the Allies
re 10 concede 10 her almost half FOR
ermany's revitaillement and expenses
Z the armies OF occupation. OF the
alf that remains TO be paid TO the Al
es. about four billions wsll be the
lare OF France This viii not pay
er war damages and war pensions. :
After 1921 Germany is 10 give Ne
,tlable Bonds TO France 10 the amount 7
I fifty billions. with interest at two I
IT cent. for fve years 1926, then five I
n cent. with an additional one per =
mt. for thirty-six years until the ex-
notion Of the debt 4 second series =
bonds TO be issued later II Germany y
sound. y
Durlng this period from 1919 to 1926 Z