The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-10
FRANCE AND GERMANY
 ARE AT DAGGER POINTS
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 that every entente proposal was am swered with an inflexible negative never with a counter proposal which would be plausible to the worlds common sense.
 These rejections, which are so ofteA steps taken by bad debtors, were eeie- brated like acts of heroism' were ac- companied by orchestras of public opinion and coarse symphonies or abuse for the allies.
 MISTAKES OF ALLIES
 The entente also has made its mis- takes. The principal ones were; A superstitious adherence 70 one soothing words of the French finance minister. MT. Klotz, that Germany shall pay"
 TbA naming of an inconceivable sum. two hundred billion paper marks, without figuring where Germany could get them. The psychological fallacy that q modern nation would for an entire generation give away every thing it achieved beyond its immediate needs toward discharging its duty of tribute
 Out of these mistakes on both sides, an atmosphere has been created which becomes more dangerous from month to month. France fears to be de- prived of her indemnity and conse- quently to be dragged into bankruptcy and later on to be overpowered by thirst for revenge on the part of a "maliciouss neighbor. Germany be- lieves herself lowered to the dust and Flends a willing ear to those who say, We did not start the war; we are not cor quered by arms; we have been ct eated out of what promised by President Wilson's 14 points, and have paid more than justice demands of us.''
 MUST HAVE ARBITERS
 Out of these mistakes have grown the fury of hatred and distrust. The time calls for our best efforts at a solution. France must realize that the amount of indemnity to be paid can not be fixed only by the creditor. Ger many must realize that limit of pay Fmcnt possibilities cannot be fixed only by the debtor. Unless we agree to be bound by unbiased arbiters, the de- cision of one party win always be you, must" and the other T can't"
 Even if the United States should de- eide to transfer the debts of the allied nations to Germany, after having sac rificed so much herself and would thus be satisfied with weak debtor, where could this debtor find all of the money necessary to pay for Amer lean raw materials to manufacture the goods, the sale of which the new world would not desire limited
 The difficulties of the situation seem unsurmountable to those who cannot sever themselves from the old- fashioned way of thinking Every coo1-headed person must comprehend that Germany's ability to pay is being W eakened by the tremendous cost of the armies of occupation and the com missions, as well as by high freight rates. They must realize further that one cannot give to country of the industrial strength of Germany trade tonnage sufficient for Greece.
 NO SIMPLE PROBLEM The matter of the entire reparation. however, is not the simple problem be solved only if France and Germany worked together. They could then dispose of all the ore, almost all of the coal and the largest potash deposits on the western European continent, having the whole east as a market for these goods. If England really has the interest of mankind at heart. she must not oppose a Franco-Ger1nan customs alliance. Such an alliance could continue without heartfelt friendship being a necessity, although l it would create what might seem to be strange fellowship.
 If the United States of Europe is not born out of such an alliance, and | if the old continent continues to re- main sterile as during the first two years of peace, then all creditors of Europe will have to tremb}e for then money.
 Therefore, the United States of America has right to take an in- terest in the reparations question and should Illuminate the dark imbrogIio of hate with the light of common seIse.