Evening star., 1921-07-28
Editorial Digest
"Oue.Sided" Generosity.


Revelation for the first time Of
Lloyd Georges remark to The effect
that the British public would never
support = one-sided arrangement" In
canceling war debts has stirred the
sense Of humor Of some Of the Amer
ican newspapers. The Chattanooga
News (democratic). for instance. while
1t suggests that the irony Of the ex-
planation. coupled with a request that
Uncle Sam forgive his overseas
debtors, never dawned upon the
famous welshfnan." nevertheless 1T
answers his own appeal effectually."
Not all the writer's can see the anus
ing side of Britain's proposition. but
they all oppose 1t. It IL true that one
cult1es involved In the great payments,
but no one advocates cancellation as q
remedy.
The Springfield Union (republican)
points out that "since there is less
than six billions of gold In the world
debts "can only be paid in goods. and
1000, 10000 Of German goods. plus
SIC. 1000. 100000 Of allied goods. for ex-
port naturally constitute an economic
factor In the future" which, however,
could not be changed except in de-
gree by cancellation Of debts"
Admitting that "the cancellation
Houston Post (democratic) remarks.
however. that "all the debts, II paid
at all, must be paid out of earnings
that are not yet created that i'm
mediate settlement is impossible. and
that due consideration must be given
fine ia =.
question of equities after ALL"
without advocating cancellation"
the Sioux City Journal (republican) Is
forced to admit" that "the existence
OF the debt 10 a dificulty that will
nave to be removed somehow. The
sooner 1t Is removed. by cancellation.
fetunding or other methods. the bet
cerned"
This angle Of the question. however,
is not dwelt upon by the majority Of
writer's. and the sentiment Of the press
OF tne country. as a whole, is per-
maps better expressed in the colloauial
pnraseology Of the Pittsburgh Gazette
iimes trepublican). when it remarks
that the British prime minister's
l,. nerve was extraordinarily healthy
Wnen ne proposed to the Wilson ad-
nlnistration the cancellation Of the
Of an n the or sDakshs IN the caption
That Easy. Mr.. Lloyd Georee" ' '''
ine Lincoln tNeb) State Journal
independent republican,. pointing
out tnat European countries owe
american capitalists about as much
as they owe the government" states
..nn wnat might perhaps be considered a
popular view Of the situation:
American government is
merely merely the the American people. The
represents the American common peo-
pes loan to the allied governments
Why should the American peopies
loan. through their government, be
sseIected FOR cancellation while the
Capi,allsyss eSaa sy stanaas A%ssisan and European
Indeed; says the Syracuse Post.
standard trepublican) the govern
mSnt would be unfaithful II It cam
ceied what 1t owes its own citizens,
ana that Is what cancellation of the
foreign debt would amount to-" An
other phase Of this argument 10 pre-
sented by the Phoenix (Ariz0 Repub-
which believes that the American
people could never be brought to IA
they perceive how merrily the allied
nations are spending money for war
and for preparation for war when we
nave such q dire need Of money" and
any aoministration and Congress
which would assent to it would be
displaced at the first succeeding cleo
ton" He would be a brave and
courageous President" adds the
Springfield ull.) state Journal ire
publican) who would entertain the
idea seriously"
Less willing to tolerate long delays.
the Lexington Leader (repubiicanj
sees an inherent danger in the situ-
alton that may come from "propa.
Eanda' for cancellation, while Great
Britain. for instance, appropriated
$4,000. .00o. 900 for her army and navy
and fought q war in Mesopotamia and
ireland which absorbed tremendous
sums" and loaned enough money to
various. nations to have met the in
terest charges on her debt to u.s.
Lest the truth Of the old saying that
The easiest way to lose a friend is
to lend him money" be proved in this
case. the Memphis News-Scimitar r
Nndependent democratic) believes
that the allies should at least make
prompt payment Of interest"