Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-30
FRANCE WELDON WAY
,TOFINANCIALHEALTH
When German Indemnity Is Established
Will Be the Worlds Greatest
: Creditor Nation.

France will be second only to the
United States in iron production and
far ahead of other European coun-
tries. So far as chemical products.
France today holds her independence
in her hands. She will be able to aug
ment her textile production 40 per
| cent.
Obstacles Being Overcome.
But hope comes not only from our
recovered provinces. Throughout the
country the restoration and develop
ment Of our economic forces is pro-
crossing and will progress in ever
growing measure as we are able to
overcome the obstacles confronting
US. That vast battle-swept desert of
the north. in which not a farmhouse.
hardly tree, escaped destruction. is
slowly but surely recovering. Inevi-
table errors have been made, but now
the work has found its stride. Out
Of 100000 persons rendered home
less, more than 100000 have rebuilt
and returned to their homes. Out OF
5000 kilometers of railroads Destroy
ed 1000 have been put into shape and
are in use; of 4.875 bridges and via
ducts destroyed 3.400 have been re-
built. and of the 2,SS0.o0O hectares of
cultivated land rendered useless g.
$4,000 hectares have been cleared of
pro5ectiles, wire and other debris, and
1:435.000 were worked and harvested
this year.
The patient but obscure efforts of
our people go unnoticed in the clam
or of noisy minorities. Our trade ball
ance, SO heavily burdened during the
war. begins to improve and improve
steadily. But We must buy abroad
the supplies necessary for the re-es-
Establishment Of our industries before
these industries can make goods for
expectation. Nevertheless. despite
this fact the surplus Of our imports
over EXPORTS which totaled 10 bill
ed to 1884 millions on the same
date OF 1920. And, If France is a debt
or. 1t must be remembered she also
is creditor. During the war France
advanced more than 100000, 900
francs IN money or kind to her al
ment of the most of this and she is
not impatient. In all. France is owed
2l5,0OO.000,0O0 francs, excluding the
debt of Russia.
To BE Creditor Nation.
In spite of this, France today is a.
DEBTOR: For the moment she cannot
count in certain. definite figures But
the delay fixed by the treaty will ex-
France viii be the biggest creditor
nation the world has ever known; she
vii! have in her power resources of
credit far in excess Of the amount of
her foreign debt.
ed In Frances future financial policy:
" Maintain the ordinary budget for
the ordinary expenses of the govern
ment (2) Look to the execution of
the treaty for the payment of the
exDenses Of reconstruction
France has shown that she can
handle the f, rst task. She will have
70 relieve the strain ON her treasury
by consolidating her floating debt.
and particularly her foreign, debt: she
her ordinary budget certain remain
ing relics OF her extraordinary budget
consisting of q few expenses which
are a. direct result Of the war. She
VIII have to maintain a CONSTANT
pressure Ior the reduction Of credits,
ana emciency the public services
winch the war affected SO diaa strons.
y. She will issue bonds based unon
the development Of her economic re-
not hesitate to make another an.,eai
to the fiscal patriotism OF the coiintry
Ihus she will have the right to sneak
nrmly and clearly in the counciis OF
me aineS and in face OF Germany.
II have taken my large mart Of I'll.
common task: without bargaining.
nave given blood and gold: when fhe
lime OF accounting came I made the
necessary sacrifices and order 70 ~
established in my house. One thing
,r.emains-on my soil the battle Tor
liberty was fought For the common
cause l gave one Of every three Of
ne my sons as Now lack farmer out Of
tnree. q scientist out Of every three.
an artist out Of every three a noef
out OF every three, a father. out Of
every three. This loss-Irreparable-
pay me- I. ask that the freafv hs
fulfilled and nothing else"