The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-12-30

resume football between the two
schools"
1t will be remembered that the two
mined manner under the former admin
istraiion and under the present admin
, is.ratton.
Capacity TO Fay.
The capacity OF Germany to pay
Is not at all affected by any Indebted
ness OF the allies To us. That indebted
ness does not diminish GermAny's ca
paC!ty and itI remova! would not In
crease her capacity. For example, il
France had been able to finance her rart
in the war without borrowing At all
from U.s. that Is. by taxation and in err
nal loans. the problem Of what Germ any
could pay you'll he exactly the same.
Moreover. So far as the debtors TO tho
United States are concerned they have
unsettled credit balances. and their con-
dtt!on and capacity to pay cannot he
properly determined until the amount
that can he ealiZed on these credits
, for rcparat!ons has been determined
'"Thr administration must also con-
slider the difficulty arising from the fact
that the question Of these obligations
which We hold. and what shall he done
with them, is not n question within tho
province OF the executive. Not only
may congress deal with public property
~ this sort, but It has dealt with 1t.
II has created a commission and. instead
Of giving that commission broad pow
ers, such as the administration pro-
posed, congress placed definite restric-
tons upon the power OF the commission
In providing for the refunding Of these
debts.
Must Show Consideration
We have no desire to sec Germany
relieved OF her responsibility for the
war. or OF her Just obligations to make
reparations for the injuries due to her
aggression. There is not the slightest
desire that Franc" shall lose any part
Of her just claims. on the other hand.
no do not wish to see 4 PROSTATE Ger
many. There can be- no economic re-
cuperation in Europe unless Germany
recupcrates.
Some of our own people have sus-
sested that tho United States should
assume the role OF arbter. There Is one
sufficient answer to this suggestion.
and that Is that We have not been asked
to assume the role OF arbiter There
could be no such arbitration unless It
we're invited. and II would he an extra
ordinary and Unprecedented thing to ask
for such an invitation.
II DO not think that we should en-
deavor to take such II burden OF respon-
sibility. We have quite enough to bear
without withdrawing to ourselves all
the III feeling which would result from
disappointed hopes. and settlement
which was viewed Az forced upon ma
lions. while this country at the same
time Is determining payment OF It's debts.
There ought to be a way for states
ynen 10 agree upon what Germany can
pay. There ought to be way 10 de-
termine that limit and to provide q IL
nancinl plan by which immediate re-
suits can he obtained and the European
nations can feel that the foundation
has been laid for their mutual and earn
es, cndeavors to bring about the Ut
most prosperity to which the Industry
Of their people entitle them.
"If statesmen cannot agree and ex-
irencIes of public opinion make their
course difficult. then there should be
called 70 their aid those who can point
the way to 4 solution.
Inquiry suggested
why should they not invite men OF
the highest authority in finance in their
respective couptries-nen OF such pres
tiCo experience and honor that their
agreement upon the amount L" DC palo.
and upon n financial plan for working
out the payments. would DO accepted
throughout the world as the most au-
thoritative expression obtainahle Gov
ernmcnts need not bind themselves In
advance to accept the recommendations.
but they can at least make possible such
an inquiry with their approval.
"I have no doubt that distinguished
Americans would he willing to serve
In such a commission. If governments
saw At to reject the recommendation
uron which such body agreed. they
would be free to do SO, but they wouih
have the advantage Of impartial advice
and Of an enlightened public opinion.
No General Conference.
81 do not believe that any general
conference would answer the purpose
better, much less than any political
conference would accomplish a result
which premiers end II impossible 10
reach. But l do believe that small
rroup. given proper freedom Of action.
would be able soon to dorise n proper
MAN. II would be time enough to con-
alder torc.ble measures after such an
oppor,unity had been exhausted. Sucn
a body would not only be expert. but
friendly. 1t would not be bound BY
special official obligations; II would
have no anmus, and no duty but 10
find and state tho truth. In situation
which requires an absence OF techn!-
Guilty and immunity from interference,
7 hope that the way may seen be found
Cor \ frank discussion and determine
ton # what is essentially an economic
prphl"m.
Tho Arms Conf erenca
Aside from the economic question,
Mr., Hughes devoted most Of his al
dress 10 a discussion OF the results OF
The Washington arms conference. with
respect 10 the recent public discussion
Of auxiliary craft problems. such as the
Japanese and British cruiser projects.
he said:
"Thcro is nothing that can he calleo
IN any degree alarming"
1T ought to be possible" Mr.. Hughes
sad. ais" with reference to total au1ll-
larry craft tonnage untouched by the
Washington treaty. Ito arrange \ mo-