The sun., 1919-05-24

Other countries which do not produce
phosphates are also compelled to I'M
port them In common with many other
products from the outside. and the only
difference in the two situations will
arise from the relative degree OF wealth
or impoverishment in the country's con-
cerned-
Coal Loss Is Minimfsed.
THE German note makes special com
plant OF the deprivation OF coal and
asserts that nearly one-third Of the pro-
duction OF the existing coal mines will
be lost. But II omits to notice that one
fourth of the pre-war consumption OF
German coal was in the territories
which II Is now proposed to transfer.
Further. II fails to take into account
the production of Ignite, 10000, 900 tons
of which were produced annually in
Germany before the war and none of
, which II derived from the transferred
! territory. Neither IL any reference made
| to the fact that the output OF coal In the
non-transferred districts was rapidly in
| creasing before the war. and that there
is no reason to doubt that under proper
management there will be a continuing
increase IN the future.
But should not the coal situation be
viewed from a different and wider stand
point? 1t cannot be forgotten that
among the most wanton acts perpetrated
| by the German armies during the war
was the almost complete destruction by
her Of the coal supplies of northern
| France.
| An Entire Industry Obliterated.
IAN entire industry was obliterated
with a calculation and a savagery which
1 ALL l. H.
| result has been a grave and prolonged
shortage of coal in western Europe.
There can be no reason in equity why
| the effect of this shortage should be
| borne exclusively by the allied nations
who were Its victims, or why Germany,
who deliberately made herself respon-
sible for the deficiency should not, to
the full limit of her capacity. make 1t
good
| STRESS IL also laid upon the hard
| ships alleged to be inflicted upon Ger
many by the necessity OF importing in
future iron ores and zinc. 1t Is not I'M
derstood why Germany should be sup
posed to suffer from conditions to which
other countries contentedly submit. II
| would appear TO be fundamental fal-
lacy that the political control OF a coun-
try is essential in order to procure a rea-
sonable share of its products.- Such a
law or in history.
The allied and associated Powers
cannot accept the speculative estimate
ipresented to them in the German note
on the future conditions OF German an
dustry as q whole. This estimate ap-
lpears to them to be characterized ano
Initiated by pafpable exaggerations. Nc
note Is taken of the fact that the econ
omic disa ster by the war Is widespread
n
called upon to suffer. There is no rea'
sible for tho war. should not suffer
also.
Similarly as regards the population
of the future, no reliance can be placed
on the data which are contained In tn,
} German note. On the one hand, 1t II
sought to prove that immigration from
Germany will be necessary, but that few
countries will receive the intending I'm
migrants On the other hand, II /.
sought to show that there will be &
flood OF Germans returning to their ma
tive land and live under the conditions
which have already been described a.
intolerable. 1t would be unwise TO at
tach too much weight to either specula
ton.
Allies Suffered Greater Losses.
Finally the German note rashly as
, serts that the peace conditions will
, logically bring about the destruction
("loss'' in Originally OF several million
OF persons in Germany in addition I,
those who have persisted in the wa
or who are alleged TO have lost thei
lives In consequence of the blockade
Against the war losses of German,
might very fairly be placed the ia
81
conduct OF the war have inflicted upoi
the allied countries and which have ief
, an ineffaceable mark upon the manhoo,
lof Europe.
"On the other hand, the figures an,
the losses alleged to have been cause,
, by the blockade are purely hypothetical
! The German estimate OF future losse
, could be accepted only IL the premise
upon which II is presumed to rest ar
accepted also.
, But they are entirely fallac!ou.
, There Is not the slightest reason to be
, lieve that a population Is destined L
! be permanently disabled because II vii
, be called upon in future to trade acros
: its frontiers instead OF producing wha
IL requires from within. country ca
both become and can continue to be
q great manufacturing country withou
: producing the raw materials OF its mai
lnuustTleb buCn Is the case, Tor In
, stance, with Great Britain, which i'm
, ports at least one-half OF her food sun
lies and the great preponderance OF he
4 raw materials from abroad
II There Is no reason whatever VIII
Germany under the new condition
should not built UP for herself a pos
! ton both of stability and prosperity /
the European world. Her territorie
. have suffered less than those of an
, other continental belligerent State dur
ing the war. Indeed. so far as pillag
, or devastation is concerned, they hav
=, not suffered at all. Their remainin
and untouched resources. Supplements
: by the volume Of import trade, shout
!, be adequate for recovery and develoI
> ment.
. Reduced Armaments Ignored.
THE German reply also ignores tn
= immense relief that will be caused
!, her people in the struggle for recover
e by the enforced reduction of her mil
= tary ornaments in future. Hundreds ,
!. ! thousands of her inhabitants who hay
d hitherto been engaged either in trainir
o for armies or In producing instrument
e OF destruction will henceforward
available for peace avOcation and II
increasing the industrial productivenei
OF the nation. No result should be mol
satisfactory to the German people.
J. But the first condition Of any su,
? recuperation would appear to be tn
} Germany should recognize the facts
m the present state of the world, which 81