Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-02
An Ebocha1 Conversation

An Ebocha1 Conversation
i A SIMPLE unceremonous, businesslike
~ conference it was that Monsieur
Loucheur and DR.. Rathenau recently
held at the famous German resort, Wies-
baden; but from their quiet conversation,
with none of diplomacy's red tape or miltar-
ISM gold trapping, may come consequences
OF utmost Importance to human history.
M Loucheur is French Minister for the
Devastated Regions; DR.. Rathenau, Minister
for Reconstruction in the present German
Government. Although it was the first time
since 1871 that official spokesman for France
and Germany had met in private council, the
procedure appears to have been quite AMIGA
BILE. These two men, millions of whose COM
patriots were locked in deadly battle three
: summers ago, faced each other over problems
: Of vast concern, not alone to their respective
countries but to Europe and the world How
= best could Germany repair the havoc in north
..ern France? How best bear out the repara-
ton terms of the peace of Versailles? These
were the primary questions, but they were
only starting points in discussion that led
deep and far. For interviewer the
Interests and the destinies of all nations to-
day that to touch the vitals of one is to
touch them ALL
1t were Dootless now to ponder if the World
War might not have been averted had it's
explosive issues been submitted to calm, clear
minds like these, but there seems to be no
doubt tnat as result of the Wiesbaden confer
-'ence Germany and France have a better
understanding of each others present prob
lens and mutual concerns and are nearer to
economic co-Working than appeared possible
q year or SO ago, in the decades preceding
the great war. This accomplishment is at
tributable partly, no doubt, to the character
and temperament of the two Ministers. Both
are liberal thinkers, we'll savorec with COM
mon sense. M. Loucheur is of that discern
ing and now dominant group of French states
men who see tat their country's cause is
bound up with the economic recovery and
reconstruction of Europe, Germany included,
and that policy of blind reprisal and re-
Venge, gratifying as it might be to certain
very human and ancient instincts, would gain
nothing for the France of today or of tomor-
row. Chat this idea has found practical
fearless opponents in the fair land that Hin
denburg trampled down, and has made
marked Roadway there tmongst the rank and
file, denotes national wisdom and self-con-
-trol to which we of this unbroken, unembit
tered corner of the world hardly do JUS
tlce.) DR.. Rathenau is described by the Lon
don Times as ''by means an ordinary bust
ness man and still less an ordinary Minister
Besides being great captain of industry he
considers himself as much seer and leader
of thought as leader in organization and
business enterprise" An author of distinc-
ton, he seems to have brought to bear upon
his country's present difficulties the breadth
of vision that comes from effort to see life
steady and see it whole.
and the linkage of wider problems, these men
found light and agreement where mere poll
ticians or mere parrots of diplomacy would
have moved Garkly and in discord. Particu-
larry worth noting, because of it's clear expo
sition of much agitated and little under
stood question of the day, is DR.. Rathenaus
comment on the payment OF reparationE, The
Consolidated Press correspondent to whom
! we are indebted for summary of the Minis
ter's Interesting statement, points out that
personal debts n
for international purposes there is no "cash''
except gold, and there is not enough gold
in the world 20 begin to settle the enormous
transactions that are involved in the peace
arrangements" There is, after all, but one
medium in which the nations can pay or can
collect and that is the medium of goods and
services. (Hence the folly and danger of
Americas raising tariff barriers so high that
European countries, who owe us war debt
of billions, could not get their goods into
our ports and markets; if we prevent
them from paying by that means, we prevent
them from paying at all; and at the same
time we make it next to impossible for them
to buy from those products of farm and
factory which we so much need to SELL
Touching Germany's problem in>the matter of
reparations, Dr. Rathenau observes that she
liz mot a land of gold or raw materials" but
that Except for her coal, needed for her own
uses, Germany has always lived lives
and will always live by the work of her hands.
Therefore we can pay only with the work OF
our hands and brains" In this particular
form his argument is subject, no doubt, to
notifications, but as terse phrasing Of an
extensive question it is distinctly worth while.
But, he goes on, payment in work may involve
difficulties not at first apparent "Work is
not commodity, it is worth nothing until
combined with materials. Therefore whoever
pays in work must pay also in materials that
are combined with the work" This means
that Germany somehow must procure the
raw materials which she lacks; it means, too,
that must be taken lest in seeking to
cancel her obligations she dump upon the
markets of the world more than they can
wholesomely digest. The German Minister
closes with this significant remark
French statesmen are to be praised
for having recognized that stream of
gold can flow from Germany, but that
payments in work must aid the recon-
struction of France, which is a problem
affecting all Europe. That is why the
Wiesbaden conversations took place, and
l may say that they are geeting ahead
The world will gradually I'M
derstand that goods programmes must
replace money programmes. a money
oNvy;1l J. IL