Evening star., 1919-11-10
FRANCES Problem
MAINLY FINANCIAL
Hopeful for Future, But Is
Depending on Interna-
tiOnaI Assistance.
BY WILLIAM COOK.
(By Cable to The Star and New York
World. Copyright, 1919)


PARIS, November S.-The first an
niversary of the signing of the ar
mistice will find France still sick in
purse, but anxious, with international
help, to wipe out the stains of the
war.
1t is hopeful for the near future.
Because the difficulties are mainly
financial. your correspondent has been
asked by the French minister to lay
before the American public the de-
sires of his country. With that view.
Louis Lucien Klotz, member of the
French peace commission, wrote out the
following statement:
Suffered Most in War.
During the whole war France had
the sanguinary honor of being the
principal battlefield. At the time of
the armistce she had suffered the
most savage devastation and the
heaviest losses.
More than half her men of mill
tary age had been killed or wounded
in battle. Such of her Industrial and
commercial factories as We're not de-
stroyed by the enemy were busily en-
gagged in preparing war materials,
and thus had become unsuited to the
immediate needs of peace.
Now we have the task of liquidat-
ing the war expenses and of restor-
ing the northern and eastern districts
France has courageouSly set to work.
Everywhere activity is reported in
the regions that the enemy had turn
ed into deserts.
Under this abnormal effort money
values have naturally been affected.
but it would be inexact to consider
cation of our situation, which is far
from unfavorable.
The French external debt is
roughly 10000. 100000 francs. of which
$4,000. 100000 are due to the American
and British treasures. The treaty of
Versailles brings to France requital
for the injustice of 1871. 1t brings
AlSace-Lorraine back into the fam
lily fold. 1t enables France to ex-
plot the mine fields of the Saar VAL
ley. thereby making up for the deficit
caused by the enemy destruction of
the French coal fields.
Will Regain Lost Property.
France will regain her lost prop
erty. her animals. her machinery and
all the objects stolen by Germany.
which are easily recognizable. Ger
many must pay to France for dam
ages to individuals, for destruction of
property and for military pensions.
Germany must hand over to France
money, bonds, merchandise, cattle and
coal and chemical products. Cost OF
the allied armies of occupation must
be met by Germany. France will also
be reimbursed for loans made to
Belgium. 1t is expected that part
of the German colonies will be given
over to French administration.
''The treaty provides that Germany
shall pay off her debts within thirty
years, although periods of payment
may be extended Meanwhile France
must quickly repair war damages
Thus she must advance money to Ger
many which will not be soon repaid
She must act as banker for her debtor
I'm the heavy task thus outlined
France will need international help. 1t
is necessary that works of peace shall
succeed those of war with the least
possible delay 1t is necessary that
an agreement be reached by the United
States. Great Britain and France to
cement the alliance already sealed in
blood, to guarantee the performance of
treaty obligations, and to constitute
the society of nations as the guardian
of humanity. This is the earnest wish
which France extends to the United
States, confident that the American
people will heartily join in it,