El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-03-05
FRANCE PLANS
BIC COLONIES

Paris. France. March Frances
colonies may Wen become one Of the
chief factors in her financial and
economic rehabilitation.
Before the war France imported
from her colonial possessions raw
materials and food stuffs 10 the
amount OF only SIX OF seven hundred
million francs (sl2G.00o.0o0 20 $780,
00O000 at the pre- war rate OF ex-
changel Within a few years we
shall be IN a position, II We have the
necessary Shipping facilities, 20 i'm
port products Of all kinds TO the
amount Of three. four, or even i've
billion francs (S6oe,0oo,o9o TO $1,000
O0O.0O0)
We need these products for our
own cOnsum ptiOn. for our factories
and in order TO bring the value Of
the franc to its old basis. Our colo
mics have accumulated 100000 tons
Of products which are now available.
but we lack ships 70 carry them TO
Task l. Divided.
In these circumstances our task
may be divided into two chapters ln
the first place. we must organize, by
private initiative. which is always
preferable for this kind OF work, a
colonial merchant marine, TO bring to
France under the French flag. prod
ucts which hitherto have not been
utilized by US or have been carried
70 foreign countries where we have
had to purchase them for our own
needs In the second place We must
devote our energies 20 the eIplOra-
tion Of the immense natural wealth
Of these countries, by means OF rail-
roads and highways and new parts.
Ny predecessors in the ministry or
the colonies have made Inventories OF
the resources OF our overseas posses
sions.
Plan Public Works.
They have also drawn MP plans for
public works, including transportation
facilities I am now revising the plan
Tor colonial merchant fleet As for
the other points Of our program. ]
have been in consultation with TIE
ministers OF France and the mer-
chant marine and they have prom
ised me their full cooperation The
immense task Of finding funds
100000 francs for the financial pro
gram involved still needs deep study.
IL may be solved by an eLtraordi-
nary budget Of the creation OF
national overseas credit Of which
II. klotz spoke recently in the cham
One thing which we never have
allowed ourselves 10 FORGET f.
that Tor the development OF cur
colonies we must always enlist
the good VIII OF the native pop
ulatlous.
This is in accord with the tradi-
tons OF France. Il Is charac teristic
or Frances colonial policy. The great
economic task the creation Of wealth,
which is the very essence OF colon
midst OF peace, and security. which
depend on the loyalty OF the millions
OF anorlglnes whom we govern.
NOt Save D=niers-
Our Industrial and commercial
eaqeTs can not be expected 70 invest
their capital in countries where the
necessary guarantees are lacking In
our colonies these guarantees are
amply provided by the confidence nd
cooperation OF the inhabitants. The
war mas given us proof Of this. We
are neither slave dealers nor Simply
business men. We are, first OF an
the guardian, the protector the fra
ternal guide OF the native pOpula-
lions which We are leading on 10 a
better future which. but for US, theT
would never know.
We are developing IN our colonies
Two classes OF wealth. material wealth
ana human wealth. France is exc
plotting her colonial domain. but she
is az the same time developing it,
u could not be otherwise. Havfns
called these aborigiues 10 the high
honor OF shedding their blood for
france and the cause CT human free
e9ia' eoW could We refuse TO share
with them the fruits OF civilization
france has always fought against
the brutal right OF force. IN her
colonial domain she knows only the
noble right Of the strong TO defend
the weak That is the secret IN are
loyalty which -ths native populations
nave shown TO her during the five
years OF war She can depend on thar
loyalty and confidence 70 enable her
70 continue the great enterprise OF
SleatlnB wealth from which both
france and the colonies viii draw
enormous benefits.