Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-02
PEOPLE EAGER
Continued from Page 0ne)

meets with almost passionate ap-
prevail. AS to the other half OF, the
conference, there is less understand
ing of the problems of the Far East.
and public opinion is less definitely
crystallized. But the universal ten
dency is to take 1t for granted that
what Mr.. Harding and Mr.. Hughes
and Mr.. Root are proposing to do Is
right. There is also universal
friendliness for China and satisfac-
ton with the program which is in
terpreted to have as it's purpose the
fostering Of the interests OF that
country. The American program on
China now being carried out in the
conference will be entirely approved
by public opinion.
The returning congressman report
acute interest in another aspect of
our international relations which is
not on the agenda of the conference.
namely. those economic aspects OF
our foreign relations which include
the debts owed to us by various
European countries. German repara-
lions, and the sterilization of sex-
change. The returning congressman
say that the people have begun to see
in their local papers tentative sug-,
gestions about the scaling down or
partial remission of the debts that
certain European countries owe us.
How the public feels about these
suggestions is expressed by the fact
that they speak Of it with an fnvid-
ious implication as propaganda"
Stated in a sentence, as reported
by the politicians, the American pub
lie wants these debts paid.
The public, of course. is unfamiliar
both with the details of these debts
and also with the complex details of
the relation of these debts to our
foreign trade. Before our govern
about these debts which involve par
tial compromise, there will have to
be an extensive campaign Of public
education. 1t may be that this Diff
fusing of intelligence will arise out
of the debate which is to take place
in the Senate next week on the pas
sage Of the bill giving the admins
tration the right, within limits, to re-
arrange the debts.
Every well-informed person knows
that these debts vary, so to speak. in
the irrecollectability. Even the least
informed person knows that here is
a difference between the possibility of
collecting money owed to US by Great
Britain and, on the other hand, the pos
sibility of collecting that which is
owed to us by Russia. for example. or
Poland, or some of the southeastern
countries Of Europe. They have
given thoughtful study to the subject
and have worked out various plans
for handling these debts. In their
details the plans vary greatly. Some
treat the debts as If they stooc alone
and others treat them as one, angle Of
a general settlement of worldwide A.
nancial and business conditions
In addition all that considerable
group of persons who. whenever ques-,
tons Of currency or banking become
political issues, turn up in the role OF
zealots for one form or another of
economic cure-all are beginning to an
pear in Washington. 1t is difficult to
walk from your Office to your home
without being backed into a corner at
each turn OF the sVeet by some pas
sionate patriot who rehearses the
whole history Of the free silver move.
ment as preliminary to a patent plan
for curing the worlds economic ills
by a congressional fiat. Not only the
schemes but also such plans ms have
been evolved by responsible persons
are wholly tentative.
Barring the bin about to be debated
in the Senate giving the powe. for re-
funding the foreign debts to a com.
mission to be appointed by the presi-
dent, there is nothing to. be said on
our foreign debts. 1t Is apparent,
however. that various things are in
process OF incubation and that some
thing definite will turn up, just as soon
as the Senate debate is finished.
tCopyright.1s21,by NY. Evening Fost Inc,