The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1921-05-04
FOUNRATION FOR WAR REP.
ARATIONS.
(Crom Chicago Tribune)

ments on the German Preparations
questions with the many incidental
factors of international peace, indus
trial revival, commercial restoration,
justice and social and economic sta
bility, it is well to keep clearly in
mind all those features which will not
permit of dispute. Only so can we
maintain any firm foundation upon
which to work out solution of the
problem which so urgently demands
solution.
Of these points which are beyond
dispute we have first the fact that
German started the war and lost it.
Another fact is that the war was
fought and decided largely upon
French territory. Still another is that
approximately one-tenth of France
wa slaid waste by the conflict, with
cities RACED, mines wrecked, factories
destroyed, homes swept away, and
farms devastated Reasoning from
these facts it is clear that France is
thoroughly justified in her demand
for complete naturalization from
Germany.
In so far as solutions of the pres
ent problem is concerned, the claims
of Great Britain, Italy, and United
States and Japan are comparatively
unimportant. Territorial aggrandize-
ment and the destruction of the Ger
man naval and merchant fleets have
presumably compensated all these ma
tions except the United States. What
this country wants is little, and even
tually will be obtained with no stain
on any of the others. The primary
point before the world, therefore, is
the compensation of France.
Economically, hte otherLi JIG z.is.
Economically other nations, includ-
ing the United States, are concerned
with the amount and nature of pay
ment of such compensation in so far
as it touches their prosperity through
effect upon the industrial and COM
mercial restoration of Germany. We
want German markets capable of alb
sorbing our goods and paying for
them, but we do not want from Ger
many such a competition as that which
closed Sheffield cutlery factory by
the sale of 10000 butcher knives tt
the manufacturer at cost below his
own cost of production. We want tt
see France compensated, but not al
cost which will maintain a contin
ued spirit of hatred and a cause o.
war in Europe.
France naturally fears that res
toration of normal industry in Ger
many will restore Germany's poten
tial war power. If then we favor sucl
limitation of indemnity as will al
{ low that restoration France may sa
|! to US, promise to help protect u
J against a restored Germany and W
will allow that restoration, but 9th
1 erwise do not expect France to submit
to rebuilding of German strengt
? which will allow us to be menaced j
: 1884 as we were in 1914" Whethe
or not such a point of view will fin
favor in America, we must admit ths
Z it is natural and valid in France, ar
. we must give it careful considerable
before supporting or opposing I'll
French demands.
/. There is little doubt that German
I. even now is coming back industrial
: and commercially. She is undersel
: ing English, Danish, Dutch, Scand
: navian, Spanish and American man
facturers in many lines in their hon
. markets even now Doubtless, if t.
world markets were open to the Ge
: man trade without restriction &c
z many would gladly pay all the ca
: indemnity ask, and more. The pre-
. ent German government is a CONNIE
: cial bargaining government. We
: not wish, by blocking it, to restore t
: monarchists. It very properly see
. the best deal it can make with
: former and present enemies. Such
deal can best be made around a &C
z ference table. For that reason
may hope that the parleys informa
resumed through the United Stat
may continue. If they do continue
is within reasonable hope that an {
justment will be reached which v
bring relief TO the injured and just
to the guilty.
We must not lose sight Of the fl
that Germany was properly defeat
'sas in war Of aggression and ought