The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1919-04-26
GERMAN PROBLEM
TO REBUILD TRADE
Must Restore Internal Order
and Commerce-Anxious
For u. S. Friendship.
NOT BANKRUPT YET
State Can Meet Debts When
Peace Comes-Food Prices
Must Be Lowered.
By FRANK ]. TAYLOR
United Press Staff Correspondent

(Cntted Press STAN CorrespOndentD
BERLIN, March 26 (by maiD THAI
the policy of the new German repub
lie will be more compatible with the
aims of the rest of the world is as.
sured by President Fritz Ebert and
Minister-President Philip Scheide-
mann, Germany's two big men today
in interviews given to the United
Press.
There must be nothing to hinder
close political and economic relations
between the German republic and the
United States of America, says Presi-
dent Ebert There has been no ha-
tired between our two peoples. We be-
lieve that America is able to save
Germany by standing for democracy
and justice at the peace conference.
''Tell the American people that Ger
many's faith in the League of Nations
is faith in America"
President Ebert does not impress
one as being a genius or even lead
er, but rather as an honest and trust
worthy man, devoted to his duty. Per-
haps an honest man is needed more
than a genius now
To Stop Secret Diplomacy.
Ebert says he cannot shoulder the
responsibility for his country if the
peace conditions are such as would
crush Germany. Should the condi-
tions of the Entente go beyond what
Germany can bear the government
would be forced to put the RESPONSE
bility for the resulting consequences
upon the Entente.
Germany will do everything to
render all secret diplomacy impos-
sible for the future. She presumes
that the coming League of Nations
will make abolishing secret diplomacy
obligatory for all members. Germany
depends in this also upon the strong
will of the American people,"
Scheidemann considered, as did
Ebert, that internal problems are
Germany's first and greatest source of
apprehension. Scheidemann is the
man who more than any other, holds
Germany's destiny in his hands, and
his forceful way of undertaking his
office has won him confidence and
support which he formerly did not
have.
"The first step of the government
will be to reach endurable peace con-
ditions and reconnect Germany to the
worlds market" said Scheidemann.
Then all governmental measures will
be directed to ovecome bolshevism
and re-establish orderly economic
and financial life which depends on
whether we will soon be able to pro-
vide bread and butter for our people
only after feeding is solved can the
new cabinet undertake its work, most
important of which is rebuilding the
economic life and traffic on a solid
reciprocal basis by which everyone
gains. Rationing and obligatory max
imum prices for necessary foodstuffs
will be kept up for a time. Import
will be restricted only so far as the
financial situation renders it neces-
sary."
Policy of Leaders Conflicts.
Scheidemann is an exponent of the
iron fist to bring about improvements
when force is necessary, in contrast
to the policy of President Ebert, who
favors use of persuasion first and
force only when every other means
has failed. Ebert is an idealist.
Both men are in favor of socializa-
tion of industries as far as possible,
though according to Scheidemann,
Specialization should be applied only
TO such economic circles which by
their development assume a private
monopolistic character and thus be-
come ripe for public administration.
For the beginning, mines and cleo
trical industries concern US. We don't
think of specialization where produc-
tivity or initiative would be de-
creased"
There is not the least reason to |
think of a German state bankruptcy,
if we have order. We will be able to
bring our shaken finances into order |
by finding new tax sources and by re- !
organization of finances. Everything |
depends for the moment on a con-
nection with the world market in or
der to lower food prices and decrease
abnormal wages"