New-York tribune., 1920-09-05
Urges Allies
Tighten Burden
On Germ any
Paul ID. Cravath, Banker.
Asserts Further Indemnity
Payments Sh ould Be Mod.
fled to Insure Fulfilment
Cooperation Ia Necessary
Believes Country Will Work
Out Economic and Finan-
cial Salvation If Aided

C181 S6kV8tlOn III Al0CQ
A warning that Germany must re-
eeivs the cooperation Of the Allied ma
ton if peace and prosperity are to re-
place the mistrust and poverty now
rampant in Europe is embodied in a
statement issued yesterday by Paul d.
Cravath, American banker. who re-
turned recently from overseas after an
extensive study Of economic conditions
In the war devastated countries.
In discussing just what the future
has to offer Germany. Mr.. Cravath
points out:
1.-TWO things are certain. One is that
1T best the amount of the indemnity
payments that Germany can make,
even over long period Of years, will
fall far below the expectations Of
France. The other is that the Allies
best chance Of securing further in
demnity payments is to make them 50
moderate that the German people will
feel that the burdens of payment are
less to be feared thah the consequences
Of default"
The bankers discussion Of European
affairs is entitled. Impressions Of Ger
many" He points out in a foreword
that a series of questions have been
asked him regarding his tour Of Ger
many and he has listed them all with
his answers. The replies are based on
conversations with Allied officials and
d ~xyta 20
we'll as on his own observations. They
are, briefly:
Germans Bitter Toward Allies
II. Are the Germans repentant? No.
Outside of radical Socialstic circles the
rank and file of Germans Of all classes
seem to be firmly convinced that Ger
many fought defensive war which
was forced upon her by the ambitions
of the Gordon of enemy nations by
which she was surrounded. The Ger
mans believe that their enemies, after
having won the war that was started
for the purpose of destroying Germany,
have been seeking since the armistl~e
to complete their work of destruction
against helpless people by the ruth
less enforcement of q treaty which
they believe to be gross breach OF
the conditions on which the armistice
was concluded and without parallel in
modern history for harshness and dis
regard of the fundamental principles
of humanity and justice.
''2. Do the Germans realize they are
beaten? Emphatically, yes. The COM
pletencss Of their defeat and their ut
ter dependence upon the good will and
mercy of their enefaies now seem to
be realized among all classes Of the
people.
Recognize Peril of Miitarism
"3. Are the Germans likely to at
tempt to organize for another great
European war? My answer is no, GER
10 concerned. The German people,
while not repentant. are convinced Of
the futility Of war and the dangers Of
the Prussian military system.
~. What is Germany's attitude
toward the Treaty Of Versailles? 1t is
apparent that the German nation does
not regard the Treaty of Versailles as
even in high circles. Their view is
that the treaty was violation Of the
terms Of the armistice, was framed by
bitter enemies without giving the Ger
man statesmen a. hearing, is needlessly
unjust and harsh in it's terms and is
EOCOTlOuSly luCaCaDic OF performance.
"The treaty ought to be revised, par
ticularly as to its economic provisions,
but am very much afraid that the
German statesmen will be reluctant to
substitute for the present unenforcable
treaty one acceptable to the Allies that
Germany would be compelled to ac-
knowledge as capable Of enforcement,
and. therefore. morally binding upon
them.
Disarmament Not Effective
."6. Is Germany sincerely and effec-
lively disarming in compliance with the
Treaty of Versailles? The consensus
Of the best informed opinion seems to
be that the high officials Of the Ger
man government are sincerely attempt
ing to carry into effect the disarma-
ment provisions OF the treaty. The head
Of the Allied Disarmament Commission
told me that all Of the numerous re-
ports Of the discovery Of large accumu-
lations Of deliberately hidden war ma
tsxial we're pure inventions.
suffering for lack of food? Unquali-
fiedly yes. While the peasants, as
class, have sufficient food, there un-
doubtedly il a great shortage among
the urban population. One sees the
effect of underfeeding among the peo-
pie in the streets in the sallow COM
plexions, listless gait and evident lack
Of vigor. 1t is estimated that the ag-
gregate weight Of the German people
is Is per cent less than before the
war.
No Formidable Secession Move
~. Is Germany likely to disintegrate
territorially? | think not, provided
the Allies give the Germanse reason
able ecoromic chance. The Movement
for the cesession Of the Rhine provin-
ees Is based on selfsh consideration. 1t
might succeed II Germany is allowed
70 drift into economic chaos. In that
ews It further territorial disintegration
+. based on selfish considerations and the
insolation Of Prussia might follow.
have no sympathy with the view that
such disintegration would be in the
interest Of France A movement
toward reintegrstion, based n eeonom-
ie needs, inevitably would ensue and
the unrest Of Che B..i ans would extend
~ Germany. Could any condition be
more unsessIihS for France and Ger
many'y other neighbors?
S. IL Germany likely to drift into
Hoishevism? No. provided always the
Allied nations zee 10 It that Germany
k supplied with sufficient working
capital, food. raw material and coal to
keep her people at wsrk and keep them