Evening journal., 1919-02-17
Uncle Harry Talks About Reconstruction and
Readjustment in the European Countries

what are the people in the coun
tries Of Europe doing, now that th'
war is Over?" asked Helen. Il know
that they are all interested in the
Peace Conference and that there ar,
still a good many men in the armies
and that the revolutionary troubles II
Russia and Germany aren't entirely set
tied, because you've told US about
these two countries; but how about
the other countrles2"
"The Governments OF Great Britain
and France have been trying to keep
our American goods out Of those two
countries, haven't they2" asked Jimmy
mot so fast, Young Fire Cracker r.
said Uncle Harry reaching out to catch
hold of Jimmy. III you're not careful
what you say Uncle Harry acting as
special ambassador for Uncle Sam,
will have to take you over his knee
and give you a spanking.
81 was reading about that, too, Uncle
Harry. and / intended TO ask you TO
explain the trouble to US" added Joe.
1T is an interesting and important
question that Jimmy has raised" said
Uncle Harry, but we mustn't be so
ready 10 scent trouble. There probably
will be arguments and discussions be-
tween our government and the French
and the British Governments over
these questions, and over many other
questions from time to time, but We
may rest assured that after all that
these three nations have passed through
and suffered during the last four years,
they are not going TO quarrel and
break friendships, at least, not II there
are any really wise and level-headed
statesmen left in the world"
But won't you explain the whole
situation to us?" asked Jimmy.
Certainly" said Uncle Harry, and
then smiling, he added: "That's my
job folks, and think lcan tell you the
whole story best by answering Helen's
question. She asked, you will remem-
Der, what the peoples Of the European
countries are doing now that the war
is over, or at least, now that the fight
ing between the Allied and German
armies has stopped And the answer
20 that question is also the explana-
tlon TO the question you asked. Jimmy
about the French and British Govern
ments planning TO keep Amerlcan-made
goods out Of their countries
In the first place, let me make this
clear. There is no doubt that all the
Allied nations are still grateful. and al
ways viii be grateful, for what Amer
lea and Ameriean-made goods did 10
help them win the war. We mustn't
forget this.
AT the same time we must not for
set That Great Britain and France. hav-
ing borne the brunt OF the war bur
den, are naturally badly dlsoreanized
During the four years OF war. MANY
businesses We're practically wiped out
and all businesses underwent big
changes. In addition hundreds Of
thousands Of men. many Of them skill
ed workmen in various Industries. have
been killed and crippled. The two ma
tons have piled up enormous war
debts. Vast sums twill have to be rails
ed every year to pay interest on these
war debts. Business and Industry win
have to undergo complete readiust-
ment Whole cities, in France, win
have TO be rebuilt. Millions OF men
will have to be placed in employment
In brief, Great Britain and France are
facing a general readiustment and re-
problem that, while Il is
different from the problem Of winning
the war, is just about as big. and near
", if not equally, as important"
'Is that why there has been talk