The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-10-05
UNITED STATES
MUST GIVE AID TO
WORLD PROBLEMS
Report of Special Com
mittee To the Directors
Of the Chamber of
Commerce of the Unit
ed States Points Out
This Country's Obliga-
tons To Other Nations

tons To Other Nations
Washington. Oct 5.-Conviction
that the United States cannot refrain
from active participation in the set
Element of economic and financial diff
iiculties confronting the world is eX-
pressed by special committee Of
the Chamber OF Commerce OF the
United States just back from an eX-
tended trip through European coun-
tries where government officials and
business leaders were interviewed and
where in a close study on The grounds
the committee sought the views OF
the various elements of the popula-
tons
In a report to the Chambers Board
of Directors. made public today, the
committee declares that:
In every country visited the opin-
ion was expressed that neither west
ern nor central Europe can be re-
stored to a condition which promises
hope and progress for the future with
out our assistance. Every country de-
Sires our friendship and assistance.
and it is apparent we can participate
industrial productivity on any reas-
enable and consistent terms. either by
modification of the Versailles treaty
to meet the policies of the United
States, or independently OF it.
On the Chambers committee are
Joseph Fl Defrees of Chicago, presi
dent of the Chamber: John II Fahey
of Boston, former president of the
Chamber and director of the Interna-
tional Chamber of Commerce: Silas
II, Strawn, of Chicago, chairman OF
the board, Montgomery Ward & Co.
Robert p Lamont of Chicago. presi-
dent. American Steel Foundres Co.
John j. OConnor of Washington. man
ager, finance department. Chamber of
Commerce of the United States; and
James II. Douglas. Jr.. secretary.
chief obstacle at present to a re-
turn to normal business conditions
throughout the world, the committee
asserts, is found in the armed con-
flicts in progress and in the continued
threat of renewed clashes. Business
will not resume its forward move
ment, it is declared, until the menace
of recurring warfare is removed.
Conclusions OF the committee. based
on an intensive study, stand out as
follows:
There is a heavy financial burden
involved in continuing the armies of
occupation, but the removal of this
load depends on some effective plar
for the maintenance of peace. or
which the nations shall unite.
The United States and the Allies
should present solid front in de
handing that Germany make good in
the matter of reparations
The United States should partici-
pate in the work of the Preparations
commission and in the work of tn,
other commissions now existing or t.
to be created which may deal witt
economic and financial questions
which affect the United States.
There should be formed an interna
tional commission OF business men
to aid the repaartions commission il
working out difficult financial prob
lens concerning reparations.
The United States should not with
draw at this time her army on the
Rhine The committee found further
that:
The world is operating on a basis
of less than one-half of the pre-war
standard.
The consumption of 3OO,OOO.OOO per.
sons is reduced to 80 per cent of nor
NAL.
The stronger nations cannot ad-
vance credit to relieve the situation
unless there is assurance of stable
conditions.
Peace still is not established, three
years after the armistice.
The present German government i.
trying to meet the required repara
lions payments.
II the opposition gets control i
Germany and attempts to evade O
repudiate the Preparations settlements
Il crisis will be precipitated which
will be a still further menace to
peace.
France and other countries border
ing on Germany need protection
against future attaks.
Financial aid cannot be extended tC
Germany to enable her to purchase
raw materials with which to manufac.
ture goods for the purpose of paying
her obligations unless there remains
a strong central government.
The United States, in the opinion
of the committee. holds a peculiarly
responsible position in the present
and as a matter OF economic
necessity cannot afford to shirk hel
duties.
The committee declares its belief
that there is in the United States lit
tie appreciation of the importance to
this country, as well as to Europe, of
the presence of United States troops
on the Rhine.
IF the United States" says the