New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-09
Neac York Tribune
FOREIGN Press Bureau

For France the problems of recon
struction are not simply readjust-
ment of the different branches of her
activity on new bases indicated by the
war. 1t is question literally of re-
building. There are the devastated dis
tricts to restose, the depleted popula-
ton to renew and the burdened
finances to be set up again. These prob
lens are considered by William Oualid
in an article in the London "Athe-
naum."
Taking up the first one, the restora-
ton of the invaded districts, he says:
''In the whole of the war zone the
villages are destroyed, the towns dew
astated the manufactures ravaged
and sacked, the houses pillaged The
woods and orchards are cut down or
burnt, and the fields lie waste and bar
rem under the rain of shells.
THE ten or twelve invaded depart
ments contained one-fifth of the work
shops and real estate of France; they
supplied quarter of the total wheat
flourishing and prosperous. They fur
nished our treasury with a quarter Of
its total receipts. 1t is, therefore, a
matter of urgency to restore these dis
tricts as soon as possible, for without
them a diminished France would cease
to play her part in the world.
All France to Help
"a law already passed as regards
its essential principles, and now await
ing its second reading in the legisla-
ture, has laid down the principle Of the
PREPARATION by the nation of the dam
ages caused by the war; that is to say
such damages as are the result of ac
tual acts of war, as acquisitions, de-
structlon of or damage to property. the
seizure of the gear, buildings or live
stock ordered or carried out by the AL
lied or enemy military authorities or
necessitated by military operation. 1t
commences by proclaiming the equality
of all Frenchmen in bearing the charges
of the war. Those who have not ma
terially suffered will contribute by
taxation to repair the damages suf-
fered by their fellow citizens.
From the individual standpoint, the
nation will not confine itself to in
Identifying the losses. as does an in
surance company, reluctantly disburs
ing a minimum indemnity. 1t is in
tended that the sufferers shall be re-
stored to strength and vigor; shall
be equipped for the struggle of to-
morrow and armed against new eXigen-
cies. 1t has therefore been decided
that the PREPARATION of material damages
shall be complete and shall embrace
the restitution of goods of all kinds,
real estate. crops, woods and fields,
houses and buildings, furniture and
lost or stolen securities.
"The collective point Of view has not
been ignored In the first place, it is
understood that the towns and villages
shall be restored and the houses re-
built in such manner as to satisfy the
rules Of hygiene, convenience and com
fort. Further, the state assumes the
duty of encouraging the reconstruct
ton in its entirety of a France re-
sembling as far as possible France be-
fore the war
Will Watch Over Funds
"Thc state has recognized its duty in
this matter To allow the Unidentified
person to expend at will the sum of his
indemnity would bring about risk of
certain districts or cultures being
abandoned and of certain industries
being neglected in favor of the ex
pansion Of certain districts spared by
the war. 1t was originally laid down
as a condition Of the allotment of the
indemnity that it should be employed
for the reconstruction in the same
place and in similar form Of the de-
stroyed or damaged property.
"Another system. adopted by the
Senate, and actually under considera
ton, is more elastic. Reinstatement is
no longer obligatory but it is gener-
ously encouraged Manufacturers who
reestablish their works, merchants who
reopen their business premises, pro
prietors who rebuild their houses and
farmers who recommence cultivation IN
the same locality, besides receiving m
identification for their losses, as paid
to all, will receive bonuses of two
kinds; on the one hand, the free and
definite payment of sum represent
ing the advance in cost OF construction;
on the other hand, as an advance TO be
rcpaid the amount or the depreciation
by age Of their property.
For example, house which cost
20 600 francs was worth 10000 francs
on the eve of the war. 1t is destroyed.
If the proprietor does not rebuild 1t he
receives in all only 10000 francs. If
he rebuilds it he may receive, if the
prices of materials and labor have
doubled. I'D to 10000 francs. 1t may
therefore be considered that reinstate-
ment. which is prime instrument Of
restoration and reeditication will be so
advantageous that it will be adopted
bv all except those who, even in time of
peace, would have abandoned their dis
tricts, and there is no advantage to the
nation in retaining these. Whichever
system is finally adopted, the public
interest will be secured"
Birth Rate Declines
The second point made by NJ. Oualid
concerns the loss of population, and Of
this he says:
Birth rate decline, say the econo-
mists, is the penalty of civilization.