The Washington herald., 1919-03-20
WORLD SEEKING
; AMERICAS HELP
yFinanciers Declare Condi-
tions Indicate Europe Ex-
poets Aid, Says Holland.

&c. Brlvate and almost conndentlal COM
s5munication which have been received
in this country from men of affairs in
Europe, especially England and
France. clearly intimate that the
+ world is now looking to the United
States for that saving help which
must be given II the aftermath Of the
war Is not even more alarming than
was the war itself.
This IS spoken OF in these communi-
cations as not a selfish interest
or rejecting any unworthy desire to
unload upon the United States much,
possibly nearly all, OF the responsibili-
ties and burdens which il will be
.pscessary to assume II civilization in
Ssurope is saved, il financially pros
trate France is relieved. II Belgium is
restored. and if the appalling burden
OF taxation and debt which England is
bearing is to be lghtened.
- stupendous Resources.
1t has become known to Europe
that the resources of the United
States in money, wealth and agricul-
tural. as well as manufacturing pro-
duction, are still stupendous, not
equalled by those of any other COun-
try. That is to say II from the ag
Sregate Of our national wealth there
=Henses incurred by the war. never
theiess that would leave resources
ok all kinds aggregating two hun
gdred billion dollars.
= First Of all Europe must depend
Afnr year or two and possibly. II
. Russia is taken into consideration,
t9r longer time than that. upon
the United States for a considerable
part OF needed food supplies. Argen-
hSsa, Australia. India, possibly but
a. present not Russia or Rumania,
can perhaps furnish Europe with
afequate supplies of wheat, sup
plsmenting in that way the wheat
which the United States and Canada
VIII be able to send to Europe.
At is an interesting fact that when
the United States is spoken of with
reference to food supplies Canada
Is also mentioned so that it is the
-AWerlcan hemisphere. if Argentina
be included, as a source of wheat
supply. upon which Europe is large
" depending for adequate grain
food.
rWoTd has reached Europe that in
ah-prObability the United States and
Canada combined will harvest this
year from a billion and quarter to
aJbulion and half bushels of wheat
.-tfH4bs furnishing a vast surplus for
export
Meeting obligations.
: Prank A. Vandelip and others. in
iC l1ding the American financial ad
svtsOTs, who are now in Europe. are
iCQlyinced that the food supplies
switch Europe buys in the United
tStates and upon which she must
depend for year or two can be
borrowing money or establishing
scredits in the United States.
When there 5 the question of the war
eebt of Europe and the intimaIion
Mat il may be necessary to ask the
---sfstanee= OF the United States in
TrGmdatfnE that debt. There appears
fEr be no difference of opinion among
the financial leaders that this Isl
sSomethinE which the United States
.should not be called upon to do.
: To assume any part of the BURDEN
saf the war debt Of France. England or,
sbhe other nations is believed to be not
sdnly unfair but also impracticable
f-Ne have our own war debt to take.
srare Of PrOpOrtiOnately TO the time
~Ee were IN the war it is as heavy al
SICbt as the ones which the other ma
4tiOns have incurred. We are finanC-I
InS that by taxation and by subsCrip-I
s1Ons to loans and must ultimately
qefuTd II into some form of perma-I
Snent obligations.
: But our fnanCiers say that il II
would be unfair to ourselves if We
undertook to assume any part of the
Syar debt of other nations, it is. on
che other hand. not only not unfair.
but Of the highest Importance that we
Send 10 the other nations whatever
credits or funds they may need in
T,rder to repair their industries so
Shat production can be resumed and
ultimately carried on upon a large
Scale.
Call VIII Come.
= Undoubtedly We will be called upon
Dor assistance of this kind. The new
f'ongreSs probably will be asked to
authorize the extending Of additional!
kredits. In addition to that the Amer
Scan bankers are disposed to assist. in |
Svery reasonable way. people on thel
other side of the sea.
: The banks will. as far as it is ex-
'pedient to do it. lend money upon
Sotes. but will insist that good securi-
az be offered.
1t may be therefore that prelimi-
mary to A league of nations whose
purpose is the welfare of the world
and the prevention of future war,
fhe United States will take preemi-
Gent. almost exclusive position in
~hat may be called first aid" to the
Impoverished and demoralized ma
fions.
1t has been said that a position of
that kind would itself assure the
recognition of this country as the
5eading world power and the infiu-
enCe which we may exert in promot-
fng industry. maintaining peace and
extending the helping hand to the
nations across the sea-which, al
fhOugh they won the war from a
r1ilitary point of view. seem almost
10 have lost it economically-wiII
Jesuit not only in moral advantage
k3 the world. but also ultimately in
sast material prosperity for the
Inited States.
s.France and England hope. If inti-
ntatiOn that has been received here
las been correct, and Italy expects
that in view of the imperative need
pt aid the league of nations cove
nant may be so written as to com
riand the warm approval Of the
tTnited States and secure for il on
e1al support when it is placed he
fore the Senate.
:, HOLLAND"