Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-17
German Industry Must Live
If indemnify Is to Be Paid


MI than the rumble of French, British
and Belgian troops into the Rhine
land is the purpose of the Allied Govern
ments to tax all manner of German imports
into their several countries, each deciding
what it's particular rate of impost shall be.
Mr.. Lloyd George is said to have suggest
ed for Great Britain as much as fifty per
cent which would mean that of every pen
nys worth of German goods bought in the
United Kingdom, half the purchase price
would go to the British Government.
Such a plan, it is obvious, may lead to
results of great moment-whether for good
or i'll is yet to appear. "M"ch will depend,
writes one observer, ION whether the money
thus taken by the Allies is to be credited
toward the indemnity or regarded as fine
for refusal to accept the ultimatum. That
refusal, in the opinion of some close stu
dents in London, is largely due to the dis
couragment of the Ger mans at the insignif-
cant credits allowed the payments already
made, amounting at the values obtaining at
the time of delivery to over five billion dol
lars. But only a fraction of 1t Is credited
toward the preliminary five billion which
Germany must pay by May the first; and the
annuities agreed on at Paris arc in addition
to this-a fact not generally understood"
The interests of all concerned require that
doubts on this score be cleared UP and that
a policy be adopted which will speed indus
many as we'll as in Europe at large. If the
fifty per cent levy on German imports to
take Mr.. Lloyd Georges proposal as an ex-
ample, is to apply as payment on 1ndemnl-
ties owed, Berlin could have no valid objec-
ton to the larger purpose and principle OF
the proposition, though she might argue the
particular percentage excessive and the meth
cd of collection i'll advised. cit has been in
terestingly suggested that the German Gov
eminent .ould we'll cooperate by providing
some system of subsidies for German manu-
facturers and exporters who surrendered half
the price of their products sold in Allied
markets.) ! ut suppose the fifty per cent levy
is not to be credited on indemnities but is
to serve simply as penalty over and above
the reparation ultimately to be paid. Will it
be possible In that case for the output OF
German goods long to continue? Unless the
price put upon them were exceedingly high
$50 high, it would seem, as virtually to pre-
clude their sa1e) it would be hardly posi-
BILE for the manufacturer to subsist on the
fifty per cent left him by the foreign tax
toll; indeed, 1t is doubtful that he could pay
for raw materials and labor.
No policy that would lead to the collapse
and death of German industry will commend
itself to enlightened craftsmanship in france
Britain or anywhere else. Even we're collec-
would be folly to destroy the chief source
Of their origin. Germany cannot pay unless
she has the wherewithal. and that must
come, in the case of a nation in her circum-
stances, mainly from profits on manufactures
It is to be assumed. therefore, that back OF
their present punitive measures. which doubt
less are needfu1 to arouse Germany to a
keener recognition of responsil lily, the AL
lies have d plan which at least will permit
if it does not encourage, constructive pro
cesses.
1t was needful to the worlds freedom and
progress and peace that Prussian militarism
should be trodden under foot and extirpated,
and the treaty provisions essential to the
completion Of that work must be enforced.
But the great aims for which the war was
fought require just as imperatively that the
policies governing this new day shall look
to the building up of all the worlds broken
places and to the heartening of all liberal
and humane forces.