Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-05-20


ure the danger and take pi, autton
against such an Invasion.
This is one menace at our threshold.
The other, more threatening, more ter
ible, ia the menace OF the worlds III
will We can afford to die, but to he
despised forever as n greedy and phari,
saical nation is fate that we must
not incur.
The French government has many
serious problems TO solve, but the
French peasantry is working and the
French artisan, while still sadly in
need OF raw materials, has not lost his
habit of industry and thrift
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 to meet them.
Plan to Aid Central Europe.
at is net for me perhaps to give
in detail formula fer solution of the
worlds ills, but as | have been asked
many times, What would you dor |
am glad to give my own answer.
Accordingly, would ask;
First. That congress Immediately
pass bill appropriating sum not
to exceed $50O,OO00OO for the use of
central and eastern Europe.
Second. That congress call upon
the president to appoint nonpoliticsl
commission of three Americans, dis,
tinguished for their character and ex.
ecutive ability and commanding the
respect of the American people. Such
a commission should include men of
the type of General Pershirg, Mr.
Hoover, or eX-Secretary Lane.
would invest that commission with
complete power.
Third. | would have the commits
sion instructed to proceed at once, ac-
companied by proper personnel. to
survey conditions in central and east.
alton of those countries under such
conditions and upon such terms as
the commission itself may decide to
be practicable and effective Among
the conditions should be provided that
there should be no local interference
with the free and untrammeled exercise
by the commission of its own preroga-
tive of allocating materials. Govern
mental politics should be eliminated;
unreasonable and prejudicial barriers
between the various countries should
be removed, and such substantial guar.
antees as may be available should be
exacted in order that the conditions
imposed should be fulfilled
Fourth. AS to financial terms.
should make them liberal. would
charge no interest for the first three
years; for the next three years six
per cent, with provision that such in
terest might be funded :. the economic
conditions of the country were not APP
preaching normal, or if its exchange
conditions were so adverse as to make
payment unduly burdensome should
make the maturity of the obligation
LIZ years from its date, and | should
have no doubt as to its final payment.
Fifth. Immediately the plan was
adopted | would have our government
invite other governments in posi-
ton to assist, to participate in the
undertaking.
Sixth To set forth completely my
opinion, should add that in the final
instructions the American people
through their government, should Sd.
to the commission:
we want you to go and do this
job in such manner as, after study
you think it should be done. TIL
is no ordira"y undertaking. Ii
American people trust you TO see tina
it is done eisht.'
81 would also say to the commits
sion:
Use as much of this money as
needed Personally | am ccnfider
that with the assistance and co,opers
ton which would come from otia
parts OF the world The sum of $500
100000 ftem the United S ates woul
be more than enough to start thes
countries en- their way to self supp
and the restoration of normal cond
tons
THE whole plan, of course. involve
many practical considerations, T.
,most serious OF which is that of ubta:..
ing the money, whether by issuing al
ditional Liberty Bonds, an increase ii
the floating debt or by taxation. b
! think we could properly say to thu
treasury department:
We know how serious your flna'
cial problems are; we know the d.
ficulties which are Immediately Coz
fronting you we know the mportanc,
Of deflation, and we know that thu
government must economic and tina,
individuals must economize, but VT
also know that the American govern
ment advanced s1O,OOO,OOO,OOO to its
allies to attain victory and peace Ger
.ainly II is worth making the addition.
al advance in order to realize the peace
for which we have already struggled