Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-28
THURSDAY, ArRlL IS. 1921.
Germany Still Staggering

+ Germany were an honorable nation, the
promises of funllment contained in its
latest note 10 the United States would carry
the conviction they now lack
If Germany were rcpentant nation the
allied insistcnce payment in full and on
time might seem harsh.
If Germany were victor nation, il would
be justified by right of might in naming
the conditions on which it would fulfill its
4 promises
If Germany were a pauper nation, its
haggling over terms of payment for its
blood guilt might excite certain measure
j. of sympathy
49, Put Germany is none of these things, and
America is looking to Secretary OF State
Hughes never 10 lose sight of these prem
~ - rwhun I've formulates his answer to Ger
ay's neutrality-suspicious. plea He will,
nation trusts and believes be guided
q tile certain knowledge that Germany
ct feel~thc sting of the lash on its barred
"a. * before /: will fulfill the obligations to
ich no sense of honor can bind it,
On the face of it, the latest German note
& hemssto offer something approaching close
4 the allied demands. The difference of
3 CIV millions of marks. while actually great
sum, is comparatively small and ordinarily
1 would not be an insurmountable bar to
! amicable agreement. But Germany, after
pleading abject poverty and then offering
nm which if it can pay is conclusive evil
stnce that it can pay in full, accompanies
wen that offer with conditions II names
1 the terms on which the allies must accept.
Z 1t still assumes the swagger of victor ma
ton. 1t still seeks to make PREPARATION con-
ditionai upon removal of all restraints. even
to the expenses of the armies OF occupa-
ton, that now block its course to resump-
z ton of the race OF commercial supremacy
1t still refuses TO deposit the metal reserves
or the Rechsbank in evidence OF good faith
liz compliance with the allied utimatum.
The note may furnish Il basis for further
negotiation. That is for Mr. Harding and
Secretary Hughes to determine. If they
: decide that it does, then Germany will have
Y its point for further delay in the
ible settlement 1t is inconceivable,
Ter, that they should decide Germany
met the requirements except after as
zee from the. allied powers that sub
on of the note would be agreeable TO
A. Great Britain and Italy possibly NAV
: in the note ground for further negotia-
s IS, but France is likely TO remain ada
Mt. France has felt the German claws
ring at its breast. Frapce knows with
owledge gained in its own LIES blood
lat Germanys promises are not to he
rusted. And France is determined to move
onward the moment the time limit has ex
z pired if Germany has not then given evil
ide I of forced good faith by meeting It's
dc ] nds. France may consent to stav lis
al. should its allies and the United States
-. Est it. but If II refuses, and proceeds To
=. the lash, the worlds sympathy Will he
France.
y =. ,olicy OF ruin toward Germany wou,d
a., wise and disastrous to the world as
= 3 5 to Germany. But the question of
sdas ruinous and what is Just and within
Z iirny's power to pay is for the allies 10
If Germany lost It's right TO name Tho
i1r,r impose the conditions when II con
.49 1efeat upon the battlefield
d +
utting Ont tic Dead Timber
80 is some indication that the Hard
80 administrator is in real earnest