Evening star., 1921-06-12
German "Pro-Allies. +"

II the somewhat remarka BILE article
in the Vossiche Zeitung of Berlin by
Robert Friedlander is an example of
what is to be expected from the lib
eral elements in Germany. it would
seem that a definite effort was being
made to swing the Germans around to
a sympathetic view of the reparations
policy. While the writer does not
bility to carry out the terms in all
their details. he urges that effort be
bent toward this end. and with faith
that experts" will justly determine
the exact limits of Germany's ability
to pay based on future developments.
Mr.. Friedlander, who is one of the
country's great industrial figures,
'sTne ultimatum for the reparations
is hard. very hard. 1t goes to the
very limit of the future and prob
able capacity of payment of the Ger
man people. 1t certainly goes beyond
it's present capacity of payment. But
it is not unreasonable. Therefore it
is acceptable. 1t can be accepted con-
scientiously and unconditionally. in
good faith.
"The reparations ultimatum.'' he
continues, sis acceptable because it is
possible to carry out 1t is possible to
carry it out under certain conditions
which are evident in themselves and
which for this reason need not be set
down in a treaty. 1t is possible to
carry it out on condition that the
ability to work, the ingenuity. the
spirit Of enterprise of the Germans is
able to become again what it was
before the war. 1t is possible to carry
it out on condition that no new parts
of German territory are detached and
that there are not continual disorders
nm tho fy,OpfierS
Here is the spirit OF the ultimatum:
Germany must pay for forty-two
years what she is able to pay, neither
more nor less. This is what We have
agreed to. For We have lost a big
war and this is what a great many Of
our politicians seem to lose sight of.
The obligation which results from
this fact is sufficient. But the au-
thors of the ultimatum, like reasona-
Bile men, made no allusion in their
document to the question of respon-
sibility for the war. thus they have
adopted in practice the Simons' point
that this verdict will be left to his
"Of course. it is possible to choose
twenty points in this document ana
to show the impossibilities. the inJus.
tice and the unbearable character OF
it, But this is not the moment to dis
cuss that 1t is our fault that pre-
cious time which ought to have been
devoted to negotiating has been lost.
"Now we must put it on till later.
When we shall be able to refer to
reasonable experts who. presumably,
will form part of the guarantee COM
mission. and by adequate, clear and
positive proposals we may be able to
obtain notifications.
Herr Friedlander then compares the
terms of the agreement proposed In
London by the Germans with those
hNy ana
shows the moderation of the docu-
ment finally decided upon by the ulti-
matum. IA
the adversaries' camp have felt Tor a
long time that political and responsi-
people as il victory would bring fam
tastic material returns, had prepared
ereat disillusions. Ultra posse memo
tenetur,' no power on earth can force
any one to give more than he pos
sesses.
formula answering in some way to
the expectations of overheated imagi-
nations and at the same time take
into account practical possioiitles.
This problem is solved in an admira-
BILE way in the ultimatum Snd iGr .bapa rsparaf a.
this and had submitted similar
nositiye program in London, it is pos
s;ble that we should have got OF bet
ter-or, at least. we should have
sained the moral advantage of being
shie to show to the whole world that
we are filled with an honest desire to
make reparations.
"As this was not the case. the idea
will survive in the minds Of the
masses, incapable Of ,discernment,
that the Germans offered 10000. ooo. 900
in London, but that when they were
threatened with sanctions they agreed
to pay 132. 900, ,000. 900. That's what
the Germans are like they VII! say.
.This ought to be a point of honor