The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-05-20

habit Of industry and thrift. Tho most
encouraging fact about France today
% that her people are alive to the ssE1-
ousnsss Of Frances problem, and they
Are going forward bravely to solve
that problem.
Italy, despite her great shortage Of
raw material, II looking forward and
not backward. Italy can be rolled
upon to do her part, .s.,,., s,-..-.
England 10 meeting the problems Of
reconstruction just - those who knew
her past should have expected her to
meet them. ~ "
Plan To Aid Central Europe.
It 10 not for me, perhaps. to give in
detail q formula for solution of the
worlds ills, but as I have been asked
many times, What would you do?" !
am glad to give my own answer. 3:
Accordingly, would ask,
/. That Congress Immediately pass
. bill appropriating sum not TO- az
coed $500, 100000 for the use Of cSn-
trail and eastern Europe. +, .~
2. That Congress call upon the Presi-
dent to appoint nonpolitical commits
sion of three Americans, distinguished
for their character and executive abili.
" and commanding the respect Of the
American people. Such commission
should include men of the type Of Cen
eral Pershing, Mr.. Hoover or e1-Secre-
tary Lane. I would invest that COM
mission with complete power.
3. would have the commission in
structed to proceed at once. accom-
panied by proper personnel, to survey
conditions in central and eastern Eu-
rope and then act for the restoration
Of those countries under such condi-
lions and upon such terms as the COM
mission itself may decide to be prac-
ticable and effective. Among the con-
ditions should be provided that there
should be no local Interference with
the free and untrammeled exercise by
the commission # it's own prerogative
Of allocating materials. Governmental
politics should be eliminated; unrea-
sonable and prejudicial barriers be-
tween tho various countries should be
removed, and such substantial guafan-
tees "a may be available should be
exacted in order that the conditions
imposed should be fulfilled. ..
4. Al to financial terms, Il should
make them liberal. would charge no
interest for the first three years; for
tho next three years six per cent, with
provision that such interest might be
funded II the economic. conditions Of
tho country were not approaching
normal, or II its exchange conditions
wore 20 adverse as to mako payment
unduly burdensome. should make
the maturity Of the obligation Is years
from its date, and I should have no
doubt as to its final payment.
s. Immediately the plan was adopt
ed l would have our government invite
other governments in position to as
sist, to participate in the undertaking.
6. To set forth completely my
opinion, I. should add that inathe, final
instructions the American people
through their government shopld say
to-. the commission: ....
ave want you to go and do this Job
in such manner as, aftersstAdy, you
think it should be done. This IL no
ordinary undertaking. The American
people trust you to5ses that 80 dd y!
right" ,.''f
:. l also would say to the commission
Use SO much Of this money 40 10
needed .,.,
Personally, I am confident that with
the assistance and cooperation which
would come from other parts Of the
world the sum of $500, 600. 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 conditions Z ~
The whole plan, Of course, involves
many practical considerations, the
most serious of which is that Of OBJ
tanning the money, 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 imam
cial problems are; We know the Diff
culties which are Immediately con-
fronting you: we know the importance
of deflation, and we knoy that the gov
eminent must economize and that In
dividuals must economise but We also
know that the American government
advanced $4,000, 5000 to its allies
to attain victory and peace. Certainly
it is worth making the additional 3D.