The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-11
FRANCE TOPUSH
GERMAN TRADE
Facing Is Billion Shortage in
Revenue, Peret FavOrs
Vigorous Resumption.
BLAMES PEACE COUNCIL
Refers to Failure to Accept
Long Term Credits L. S.
Bankers Offered.
BLAMES PEACE COUNCIL.

PARIS, Oct. 10.-Immediate resump-
ton of trade to the utmost and the de-
velopment OF business relations with
Germany is the logical policy of
France. said Raoul Peret, former Min
lister OF Commerce and now Vice-Pres-
ident Of the Chamber of Deputies and
the chairman of the Appropriations
Committee OF the lower house of Par
lament
II will go further" NJ. Peret added,
''and say that it would be good policy
for the French Government to take up
the buying in Germany of all raw ma
terials and manufactured articles
needed here, so that we can finish or
sell them to consumers
NJ. Peret said he was not quite sure
as to the feasibility OF the latter plan.
but declared he was positive the only
relief in sight for the exchange situa-
ton was TO buy less from countries
where France already is in debt and
countries in which France is an enor-
nous creditor,
Nation in DimcuIt situation.
France is In a very difficult situa-
tion." NJ. Peret coptinued. 81 am not a
pessimist. because / know the resource
fulness of our people but l am unable
to be an bptimist when in preparing
our budget l find our obligations are
going 10 be in the neighborhood Of 25,
000,O00,0O0 francs annually, with lO,-
000, 100000 francs In resources in sight
and only vague prospects for collecting
the 5000. 900 francs annually, which
represents what Germany owes US for
reparations and pensions.
More vigorous administration of the
tax laws will give us 1000, 600, 900
francs a year additional, leaving 5,OOO,-
600, 900 francs still to be raised by new
taxes, or $4,000, 100000 II we do not
count upon anything from Germany"
M Peret referred TO the criticism in
the United States that France had not
kept her receipts abreast OF her ex-
penditures, and said he thought oondi-
tons had not been fully taken into ac-
count.
Lacking In Fiscal Patriotism.
Perhaps we have not as much of
what cne might call fiscal patriotism
In France as there is in the United
States" he declared, but the dislike to
pay taxes Is natural and universal, and
1t Is all the more explainable in France,
whose people had the right to expect
that the. damages should be paid by
thos, who caused them.
But I have always thought, and |
still hold the opinion, that there should
be common effort by the Allies In
llquidatlng war debts. which are becom-
ing more difficult as we get further
away from the date OF the armstice,
when the union OF the Allies reached
! its highest point. Since then they have
| been drifting apart. 1t is more difficult
when divergent interests are asserting
| themselves TO get back TO the spirit
shcwn when the Allies were fighting side
by sdeS
Perhaps France herself Is to blame
for not taking advantage OF offers made
her. A few weeks ago there was a
question OF the United States opening
/ large, long term credits to enable us d
procure the raw materials which are
sorely needed, the American bankers
! taking as security French bonds issued
to victims of the war in payment for
damages, pending a settlement with
Germany, but nothing has materialized
In this respect and, IN consequence, re-
construction work is blocked"