The Washington herald., 1921-03-03
Believe me, thousand friends suffice thee
not;
In a single enemy thou hast more than
enough-AI Ben Abou Taleb.
Germany Must PAY.

HOSSIBLY Lloyd George best expressed the
r, situation when he said to the German repre-
sentatives at the London conference: you
have complete lack of comprehension of the posi-
iton of the allies and of your own position" But
possibly Minister Simons, is on his side, much in
the same position NJ. BRAND his side.
1t is hard for German human nature, long
trained to belief in its superiority to all the rest
of mankind to realize that Germany is in fact the
rnder-dog. Back Of Simons in his own country is
q great body OF irreconclables demanding in arro-
CANT confidence the impossible.
This element has forgotten much, but learned
nothing They but repeating their prewar
errors Of judgment. They cannot conceive that
Great Britain will now. then, support France.
They have not learned that Italy's whole interest
is IN the Eastern Mediterranean. They still look
TO the United States their partisan at heart
= They thus three times mistaken. There is
not and never has been actual danger of final dis
agreement between Great Britain and France.
Facts stronger than inclination, and cold facts
now as always, compel those countries to a con-
tinued close alliance. Neither afford to cut
loose from the other Each is essential the other.
!. Germany, in spite of facts, has refused to face
the inevitable. The Japanese still Junkers.
Prussia is still Prussia. France is united this
matter OF reparation and is ready to move. Her
armies are modified for action. They, with Bel
dence, will not occupy the Ruhr Valley but will
move via Frankfort and cut Bavaria from the rest
of Germany.
1t is reported that the British feet will at the
same time blockade the German ports. 1t will be
an irresistible display of force, Germany is
helpless to meet. She will have no choice. She
must pay What was not permitted by the ARM
istice will then be Germany's fate. The forces of
the enemy will cross the Rhine to the heart of the
empire
The allies have for two years studied Ger
manYs financial and industrial condition. They
have finally decided that she pay what de-
manded. 1t is, at least the French minimum. If
Germany had presented ways of making the pay
ments easier and surer these notifications would
probably have been accepted.
But when she asks that the total be cut in two,
when she asks credit for materials delivered re-
placements; when she comes not in repentance but
rather as the injured, she but makes her
Her wise position would have been acceptance, with
notifications perhaps, and an honest effort to pay.
If payment was later shown to be impossible,
not through padded governmental budgets but by
actual developments, then she could fairly have
expected measure of remission But the allies
have definitely decided what she can pay and SO
must pay while the opinion of this country seems
unique stonably 10 be in accord with this, though
unable to determine of course if the specific
named is excessive.
Unless Germany yields, the military and naval
movement Will doubtless follow and this is a con-
summation which all the world, except France, de-
voutiy hopes Will not come. 1t will retard world
recovery 1t will set back the wheels OF indus
try.,-It will further complcate an almost unsolv-
able Mess and will shut out for further time all
hose rays of light which were trying to break
ttrbugh the clouds of depression, world gloom and,
IN wide territories actual despair.