The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1920-05-20

receive money to buy whatever is
necessary to re-establish themselves.
Widows and children of soldiers are
entitled to practically all of the bene-
fits due to the soldier himself. 1t
also must be taken into consideration
that the cash grants are higher than
they appear, because the cost of liv-
ing in Australia is at least fifty per
cent lower than in America.
France gave her private soldiers
bonus ranging from 1929 to
$233.53, and all higher grades get
correspondingly higher gratuities.
These grants were made almost i'm
mediately after the war so that vet
Grams would be able to overcome their
disadvantages at once. Remember
that France is in severe financial
straits because of her long participa-
ton in the war. Reccollect too, that
in France there was practically no
Stacker class. Everyone was subject
to his call to the colors, and the whole
nation participated actively in the
war instead of delegating participa-
ton only to the younger men.
Italy pays $34.74 to $63.69 to pri-
vites and more in other grades up
to $852.42 to a major general. OF
course, living is much cheaper in
Italy.
England pays privates from $2430
to $140.94 contingent on length of
service and on an increasing scale
for higher grades, up to 1920 for
major general. Field Marshal Sir
Douglas Haig and Admiral Sir David
Beatty got 100000 each. Immedi-
ately after the Armistice in England
men received a months leave on pay
to find job, and if they were un-
successful were allowed unemploy-
ment pay for six months.
Even Germany overwhelmed with
misfortune, was able to pay some
compensation for her fighters. They
got employment pay and were ex-
cused from payment of taxes.
In foreign countries the private
usually got less than the general.
In the United States no such distinc-
ton is made. 1t is only fair that
compensation be based on length of
service, however, since it is evident
that the measure of mans sacrifice
generally was proportionate to his
length of duty.
The United Sttaes paid $50 as a
"bonus" to every man, regardless of
rank or length of service. Rejre-
sentative Gallivan, of Massachusetts,,
called this "tip." The United States
has established vocational training
only for disabled men. There has
been no land settlement plan, no home
aid, no training for men who were not
disabled, no adequate cash compen-
sation.
Surely, the other nations are less
able to pay compensation than is our
country The public debt of Great
Britain is forty per cent of her total
national wealth. France also owes
forty per cnet of the national re-
sources. Germany's debt comes to
fifty-three per cent. The outstanding
obligations of the United States are
less than eight per cent of the total
wealth of the country. Yet, in spite
of these facts, the United States I'M
doubtedly has been the most mig
gardly of the nations at war. The
proportion of men who served is
much smaller in this country than in
any other; which, of course, means
that the proportion of those who did
not serve is much larger and that
they are much better able to carry
the burden of compensation.
A number of individual states of
the Union have recognized the obi
cation by paying it. Among them are
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire
South Dakota and Oregon. Many
other states have had compensation
programs in view, but have post
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