The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-05-27

against such an Invasion.
This is one menace az our threshold
The other, more threatening, more ter
rible, II the menace of the worlds III
will. We can afford TO die. but to be
despised forever as a greedy and phar-
isaical nation Is n fate that we must
not incur.
The French government has many
serious problems TO solve. but the
French peasant Is working and the
French artisan, while still sadly In
habit Of industry and thrift. The most
encouraging fact about France today
ls that her people are alive to the Sc
robustness Of Frances problem, and
they are going forward bravely TO
solve that problem.
Italy, despite her great shortage of
raw material. Is looking forward and
not backward. Italy can be relied
upon TO do her part
England Is meeting the problems Of
reconstruction Just as those who knew
her past should have expected her 10
meet them.
Plan to Aid Central Europe.
II Is not for me perhaps 10 give In
detail a formula for solution of the
worlds Ills, but as have been asked
many times. what would you dor ]
am glad to give my own answer.
Accordingly, I would ask:
I. That Congress Immediately pass
bill appropriating sum not TO ex-
coed $500, 100000 for the use Of Cen
trail and Eastern Europe.
2 That Congress call upon the Pres
ident 10 appoint a nonpolitical com
mission of three Americans, dlstin-
guished for their character and exec
utIve ability and commanding the re-
spect OF the American people. Such
n commission should include men Of
the type OF General Pershing, Mr..
Hoover or ex-Secretary Lane. would
invest that commission with complete
power.
3. I would have the commission In
structed 10 proceed AT once, accompa-
MED by proper personnel. to survey
rope and then act for the restoration
Of those countries under such condi-
tons and upon such terms as the COM
mission itself may decide to be practi-
cable and effective. Among the con-
dtions should be provided that there
should be no local interference with
the free and untrammeled exercise by
the commission Of its own prerogative
OF allocating materials. Governmental
politics should be eliminated; unrea.
sonable and prejudicial barriers be-
tween the various countries should be
tees as may be available should be ex.
acted In order that the conditions i'm
posed should be fulfilled.
4. As to financial terms, I should
make them liberal would charge no
interest for the first three years; for
the next three years, per cent, with
provision that such interest might be
funded IL the economic conditions of
the country were not approaching nor
NAL, or II Its exchange conditions we're
so adverse as to make payment IN
duly burdensome, | should make the
maturity Of the obligation 10 years
from its date, and I should have no
doubt as to Its final payment
3. Immediately the plan was adopt
ed l would have our government In
wife other governments In a position
TO assist. to participate in the under
taking.
8. To set forth completely my opin-
Ion. should add that In the final in
structions the American people,
through their government, should say
10 the commissNn:
"We want you to go and do this Job
in such n manner as, after study. you
think II should be done. This is no
ordinary undertaking. The American
people trust you TO see that II is done
right"
I would also say to the commission:
use so much OF this money as is
needed" Personally, I am confident
that with the assistance and co-opera-
ton which would come from other
parts Of the world the sum of $780,
900, 900 from the United States would
be more than enough to start these
countries on their way TO self support
and the restoration Of normal condi-
lions.
The whole plan, OF course, involves
many practical considerations, the
most serious of which Is that of oh
tanning the Aoney, whether by issuing
additional Liberty bonds, an increase
In the floating debt or by taxation
But l think we could properly say TO
the treasury department;
I'VE know how serious your fnan-
cial problems are we know the din.
ciIties which are Immediately con
fronting you: we know the Importance
OF denation, and we know that the gov
eminent must economic and that in
diyiduals must economic, but We also
know that the American government
advanced $4,000, 100000 to its allies
to attain Victory and peace. Certain.
ly II is worth making the additional
advance In order to realize the peace
for which we have already struggled,
for nothing is more certain than that
until normal conditions are restored in
Europe there can be no peace"
Ahovp NIL things I wouId sav that