Evening star., 1920-02-08
THE STORY THE WEEK HAS TOLD

and denials of those claims. find themselves
either side yet. There is. however. one
point that puzzles them more than most OF
the rest. The owners state that an increase OF
IA per cent to their employees could not be met
existing prices. Yet the miners get 80 cents
today for mining ton of coal and the con-
sumer pays something over $40 for that same
ton. Where does the 1000 per cent difference
go tor ask Jim and Jane. If some operator
anxious to clear up the doubt which exists in
the mind of the average American as 70 .lial ina
point, would draw up an temized account CIV.
ing the answer to that question. a long step
forward would have been taken
Reviewing that chapter of the story of the
week which deals with affairs abroad. per
haps the most important development lies IN
the demand of the allies. about to be formally
delivered, that Germany turn over to them S9o
of her citizens accused of crimes during the
world The list which has not been of1i-
cially announced. is said to include the crown
prime. Hindenburs Ludendorf. Faikenhayn,
Won Bethmann Holweg. Tirpitz, Macken-
SEN and lesser characters in the drama of the
world war. Indications from Germany that
government which sought to put INTO eHect
the terms of article 22S of the treaty undes
which the demand is made, could survive. And
because there is every reason to believe that
overthrow the existing German government
the belief is spreading that possibly the allies
may not wish to force the issue: Counter
posed this representation is the opinion
of those who sure that the allies dare not
yield in this point lest, using the concessions
precedent, Germany be encouraged
to repudate other of her obligations. While,
pending some definite action by Germany. spec
uation to the solution of the problem has
no large value, it is interesting to note that
any failure by Germany to fulfill her treaty
obligations would give France the right to re-
fuse to evacuate the left bank Of the Rhine.
fact which furnishes food for thought!
The economic crisis in Europe as evidenced
by the extraordinary and persistent declines in
exchange, concern,
not only within the nations most intimately
concerned, but this side of the Atlantic
well. The situation, necessarily at it's worst
in Europe. is but slightly less gloomy here
Apparently the facts to be faced are these:
European currency has been SO vastly in
lated during the recent years of war that to-
day the United States is held by many leading
fnanciers to be the lone nation which has
maintained anything approximating the gold
basis. Paralleling this currency imitation
unavoidable yet extremely dangerous over
extension of European credits has taken place.
The political situation in many of the countries
approaches a crisis for which the basic causes
may be found in the monetary and credit weak
ness. Hungry, deblitated, ravaged and we'll
nigh desperate, Europe has today no credit
with which to obtain money; money with
food clothing fuel with which to COM
bat. through the well being of its citizenship.
the nsidious teachings and fulsome promises
of bolshevism knocking at their doors.
Little enough cause for optimism in the pic
undiluted fact, and those. on good authority.
are the facts They will be interested to know
the low exchange value of the pound sterling.
is throwing herself vigorously into the world
crisis. And the picture arising before their
eyes of the threatening tragedy a tragedy in
wfich they would have no academic bur q de-
cidedly intimate relationship, will give them
cause for reflection. Rejecting (the course to
follow may not seem simple merely to
bid Europe to fend for herself, even though
the claim that the United States must protect
her own interests be readily conceded.
X X X X
Every effort is being made to prevent the
development of a crisis over the Adriatic con-
troversy. While the Serbian situation is re-
garded full of anxiety. Premier Nitti, ac-
cordng to the most recent diplomatic advices,
is in position to carry out any plan he de-
sires in Italy. 1t is believed that under
circumstances will any definite procedure be
taken until the resumption of the sessions of
the peace conference on February IL.
Poland is considering, in conjunction with
the allies proposal from Lenin and Trotsky
inviting a friendly settlement of all disputes
and outstanding questions between Poland and
signed between Esthonia and soviet Russia
Announcement comes from Japan that that
nation will not completely withdraw from
Siberia until evacuation of the Czech troops
eastward from that section shall have been
completed 1t develops that of a total budget
of S63s 100000 the largest in the history of
japan. more than $780, 0000 will be spent
upon naval and military expansion. There is
apparently very little idea in Nippon of re-
trenchment along the lines urged by Repre-
sal training for the United States
Think it over, Jim and Jane.