Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-17
GERMANY CAN AND
MUST PAY WAR DEBT,
DECLARES R. V|V|AN|
BY RENE vIvIANI
(Former Premier of France(.


Copyright, 1921
PARIS, May 14.-Germany finally
has yielded, making one wonder why
it took so long to reach that de-
cision. Nobody imagines that if the
allied demSndsN,were truly crush
ing Germany would have accepted,
with all the peoples and the gov
ernments of the world failing to
utter a word of protest. Therefore,
Germany's yielding after making
the, peace of the world wait so long
simply means that she realizes 1t
is impossible to continue the faith
less, criminal policy she has fol-
ture to the treaty.
When the new American admins
traction was installed at Washing
ton, Germany did it the honor OF
surprising it would intervene in her
favor. and this stupid notion eN-
plains Foreign Minister Won Simon S
arrogance at London the week be-
fore President Harding was noml-
mated. Notes have been exchanged
several times since then, and Sec
rotary Hughes ringing words have
carried across the world to an as
tonished and momentarilJ indig-
nant Germany the answer of up
many's avenues of escape cut off
by, words of conscience and she
was obliged to incline to the de-
mands of the allies. backed as they
were by all of civilization.
And thus it is proved that what
we always said was truth and not
merely blind hatred of Germany.
Germany Can Pay
What did we say?
we said Germany could pay, and
this declaration, true when the
treaty was signed, was even truer
when the PREPARATIONS commission
announced its final figure.
Well, if that was true the whole
world must note that through Ger
and through fer refusal to honor
her own signature, the world has
been thrown into confusion and
thus Germany is responsible not
only for the war but for the con-
tinued vicissitudes and anguish
which sti1l beset humanity.
Our troops have been modified,
and as the London decision gave
Germany twelve days in which to
comply, they, of course, will not
occupy the Ruhr. But here we must
understand each other for if in the
present promise. we shall call the
world to witness both our modera-
ton of today and the energy with
which we shall compel Germany to
respect her engagements. Any child
knows the difference between prom
Use and fulf1llmept, and so the
question now is, will the promise
Americans will understand that
France has become skeptical about
Germany's good faith and there is
an opinion which declares we
should act Immediately. This view
is not shared by the government
one remembers the great suffering
of this country. Frenchmen never
dreamed that victory could be so
lIIusory. Germany must understand
now that failure on her part to
fulfill her present promises would
by grave consequences, not only
moral but material.
To insure fulhllment, Germany
must give security. 1t is surprising
that, this policy was not adopted
at the signing of the armistice, for
the giving of security is recog-
nized as practice in individual
relations. Because this was not
done at the time Of the armistice
and the whole procedure was not
placed on the plane Of civil law,
we have been reduced to the pitt
able condition of today. Germany
must begin to give security That
is. she must substitute for words
that leave us increduious, acts
which will permit us to believe in
her good faith.
Financial Help Needed
There is yet one condition under
lying Germany's ability to pay. In
giving the world security she must
offer her merchandise for sale. Her
capacity to pay will depend upon
the rest of the world underwriting
her promises and buying her goods
Therefore, if peace is desired
throughout the world, the financial
viewpoint must be taken into &C
count. SO when Germany has fur
nished her security it must be re-
membered that such gigantic opera
tons cannot be accomplished by
Europe alone-Europe which still is
suffering from the war and whose
business is as yet not re-organized.
We French sincerely hope the
present situation soon will change
profoundly. We hope especially that
democracy will gain the upper hand
in Germany and by liberating her
from the financial autocracy which
survived the political autocracv.
finally make the Germans a free peo-
pie.