Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-10-05
US. MUST SHARE
WORLD PROBLEM
So Says Committee OF u. S
Chamber Of Commerce At
ter European Trip

Lit WI ut II OpSI dtliiS bli a Detoi9
Of less than one-half of the pre-waf
standard
The consumption Of 100000
persons is reduced to 80 per cent Of
normal.
The stronger nations cannot adj
vance credit to relieve the situation
unless there is assurance Of stable
conditions.
Peace still is not established, three
years after the armistice.
The present German government
is trying to meet the required rcpara-
tons payments.
If the opposition gets control in
Germany and attempts to evadc OF
repudiate the PREPARATION settlements
a crisis will be precipitated which
will be a still further menace f.
peace.
France and other countries Dor Ter
ing on Germany need protection
against future attacks.
Financial aid cannot be eX' end
Germany to enable her to purchasa
raw materials with which to mani
facture goods fdr the purpose q
paying her obligations unless there
remains a strong central govern
ment.
u. S. Cannot Shirk.
The United States. in the opinion
of the committee, holds a peculiarly
responsible position in the present
situation and as a matter Of economic
necessity canot afford to shirk her
duties.
To-day the worlds business ap'
parently has reached a dead center,
says the comittee. at NAV move for
ward from the present point by slow
painful and uncertain steps with the
result that the process Of reconstruc'
tion will extend over many wears
How long such movement would con
tinuc, it is impossible to forecast
No one was able to approximate the
LENGTH of the most destructive war
in history, and no one is wise enough
tn foresee how long the present con,
dition of doubt and insecurity witt
its inevitable suffering and social dis
turbance may last.
Only by gaining the confidence
of investors can the credit and capl
tai necessary to insure normal busi-
ness in the world be modified and
used. Only the free exchange OF
commodities between the countries
in constantly increasing volume can
bring normal life to the people and
the conditions they knew before the
war
"The United States is regarded as
the most powerful country in the
world, commercially and financially
IFS reputation for integrity and fair
dealing is well established. In ev-
cry country your committee visited
and in almost every conference in
which it participated, irrespective of
the occupation. official position or
social status of the persons met, the
opinion was expressed that neither
Western nor Central Europe can be-
restored to a condition which prom
Uses hope and progress for the flu
ture without our active assistance
u. s. Interest Vital.
Possessing as it does great guam
titles of raw material and manufac
lures which it wishes TO exchange
with other nations, the interest of the
United States in acceleratmg a re-
turn to world prosperity is vital.
"The fact is not debatable that
after the part we have taken in the
late war we cannot refrain from &C
lively participating in the settlement
of the economic and financial diff
culties now confronting the world.
EVERY country desires our friend,
ship and assistance and it is appar-
ent we can participate in the restora-
tion of commerce and industrial pro-
ductivity on any reasonable and con-
sistent terms, either by modifica-
ton of the Versailles treaty to meet
the policies of the United States, OF
independently of it.
Doubtless it was the realization
Of our moral as we'll as our financial
and commercial responsibility in re.
lieving the worlds depressed condi
ton that caused the president to cal
the proposed conference in Washing
ton to consider the reduction of ar
maments.
Must Look to Peace.
"Any student of world affairs can
not escape the conclusion that eacl
of the nations, including the United
states, cannot commune TO eXpenu 81
large a part of its entire revenue
derived from taxation which is nov
almost unbearable, in preparation 70,
future war, if the present civilization
is to continue. To peace and t,
the restoration of the worlds eco
nomic balance we must give our at
tention."
The committee treats at somt
length the showdown in the produc
ton and distribution Of goods in Eu
ropean countries.
There are no dependable figures,
says the committee, Ito measure thu
great decline in consumption, bu
European economists, whose opinion
are highly regarded, declare that th'
consumption of more than 100000,
900 persons has been reduced on III,
average to almost 80 per cent 0.
what it was previous to the war
There is a great need of raw ma
terials, food, clothing and all kind
of manufactured materials. Millions
want the commodities which other
could supply. They are unable t
buy because their money is so re
duced in value that it has little buy
ing power. Every purchase at thu
present high rates of exchange means
af oto ,,ao,.lr