Evening journal., 1920-11-30
FRANCE AND HER RECOVERY.

n ovAr FRASER has contributed to the London Daily
A. Mail a British view Of the manner in which France
is recovering from the effects Of the World War II can
not fail TO interest Deawareans, who sympahized so
deeply with France when she was being overrm by the
Huns: who reiolced with her when the tide OF battle
turned and who have been following, so far as distance
would permit her noble efforts TO repair the damage
that war has done. in so far as II is reparable
Mr. Fraser says that it i worth while, even tn these
tense moments to look The Channel and to note
the patient and ndomitable spirit in which the French
have set 10 work 10 repair the OF the war France
so long a foremost leader OF Western CIVILIZATION sun
has something 10 teach us.
We have been aware for many months OF the quiet
dogged efforts Of the Belgans to restore their national
e have not yet realized that in spite Of conditions
far more dlsheartening than prevail in Belgium NE
French are now in some respects at least, well on the
road 10 a wonderful recovery.
The speech OF NJ. Francois Marsa the French Minister
OF Finance the day when the new French six per cent
loan launched as a great surprise 30 many
Brions Finance Ministers naturally disposed TO dip
their brushes in rose-pink colors when loan is being
1oaed but NJ Marsal gave remarkable facts and figures
which cannot be galnsaid
He was even bold enough 10 claim that "the hours OF
anxiety over the future OF France past His belief
may be little premature but trust nc is right; and the
way the peasants and the miners OF Northern France are
working seems 20 justify his hopes
The high courage. the devotion and the faith required
to Take in hand the reclamation and reconstruction c
these great areas OF chaotic wreckage far exceed any
demand made upon the forude and the confidence Of the
British race Yet France has 10 close grips with her
task. and is setting with IL.
NJ AIarsa says that OF The factories damaged com
petey destroyed in the liberated area" u per cent are
working and 20 per cent OF the prewar stafs are
being employed or the great OF agricultural land
laid waste by the war Sc per cent has already been re-
claimed. All the railways in the war area are now in
working order, with the exception OF a few miles.
Some OF the coal mines which II was thought would
take years 70 reopen already producing Factories
which had adopted eghhour shifts possess workmen 50
ardent that according 10 another witness, some OF them
insist working both shifts ie hours day. France
Is at work again. and overcoming The worst OF her
trhulations by sheer energy.
The picture must not be overdrawn. In OF thes'
factories only sections have been started and the outpu
is siin limited But France is sound at the core an,
Nmay stl be a beacon Nght when much Of Europe 8
plunged in darkness
The secret Of national finance is confidence and ther
confidence IN France today. Big cuts have been mad
in the budget. and may follow. The various Minis
tries being ratoned with money, and not allowe
70 squandsr at win. When shall adopt ike measure
here?
The French have been cyihclsed. not without reasoi
they did not impose heavier taxation during IN
war; but fancy they knew he temperament OF the
people and probably did not wish TO add 10 a stra
which almost uncomfortable while the enemy wei
within gunsh OF Of Paris They had never been accu
toned had been for many years TO income IA
which in our always stern and is excessy
France is moreover a land Of small fortunes, and the
are very few really big incomes.
she has now substantially increased her direct taxatio
Her new tax OF per cent turnover has produce
greatly in OF expectation. and, though
do not pin my faith 10 it without further inquiry ha'
long thought that such tax might be preferable to
present Illogical and mischieyous excess profits dut
which IS thwsrting industrial recovery.
Ahough France suffered FAR more than we did in q
war. think her recovery may eventually be rap
than our Her interests are primarily agriculiurs
ours are industrial The agricultural countries have q
osst chance Of regainng stability ong they ket
the Lenns out
ne Industrial nations have tougher lime before ther
Ne may well take lesson from the essential sanity sr
stability Of sorey wounded France
CUptcrarsc