The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-03-02
FRANCE FEELS THAT
WAR DEBTS IN PART
SHOULD Be POOLED
TAKES VIEW SHE BORE THE
BRUNT BECAUSE OF POSI-
TION GEOGRAPHICALLY.

Paris March 1.-The council of
the great powers today began con-
sideraton of financial and economic
problems, both as affecting the trea-
ty of peace and permanent condi-
tons after the war. This subject is
taken up after weeks given TO hear
ings on territorial questions. The
subject was presented today in two
specific reports. One was from the
financial commission, of which Louis
Klotz, French minister of finance,
is chairman and Albert Strauss and
Norman Davis are the American
members. The olher report was
from the economic commission Of
which Albert Clcmentcl OF France
is chairman and Bernard NJ. Ba-
ruch, Vance Mccormick and DR..
! a. A. Davis are the American mem
bers.
The financial commissions report
was brief, giving the main particu-
lars OF the vast financial reorgani-
cation that is required 1t does
not embrace reparations and indem-
mites for the war, as these subjects
are being considered separately.
Most OF the hearings were presented
without recommendations which are
/ lett to the council and the plenary
conference.
One OF the main headings con-
Germs war debts and debts made be-
fore the war in enemy countries, and
whether they are to be paid or re-
pudiated and, if paid, the manner
and priority of payments. Another
heading deals with state property in
territory taken over, such as state
mines and state railways.
The most important heading is
entitled "Rcapportionmcnt OF the
War Debts OF Allied Countries on a
Fair Basis While not presented
in detail, this heading opens one OF
the largest questions presented to
the conference.
According to the French point OF
view, the huge debts piled up by the
war have fallen unduly on France
which now is carrying the largest
per capita load. 1t is maintained
therefore, that a certain portion OF
these allied war debts should be
pooled so as to make them inter
national obligations instead OF being
carried alone by France. This j:
on the theory that the war wa
not fought merely as a defensive
measure by France but as an inter
national conflict in which France
bore the bruut because OF her geo
graphical position.
Not Considered Favorably.
Thus far the proposal to re-dis
tribute the gar burden has not beer
b considered favorably by the British
American or Japanese members. Tht
British do not wish to add to thei
burdens by taking part OF the con
tinental burdens, while Japan be
ieves she should hold aloof from
European Indebtedness.
1t was suggested at first that thi
reapportionment OF war debts be in
corporated in the peace treaty, bu
because of differences OF opinion
this suggestion was abandon, ant
the present suggestion contemplate
a reapportionment OF the debts un
der the financial section OF tn
b League of Nations, which was re
, ported iavorably yesterday.
Neither suggestion, however, ha
b been passed upon by the suprem
| council or the plenary conference
} and the magnitude of the propose
, leads to the belief that there wi
be considerable discussion befor
5 any such measure assumes dehnit
b form.
Another heading OF the hnanci;
report concerns the method OF sta