The Washington times., 1922-04-09
BY JOSEPHUS DANIELS
(SecretGv of the Macy in Wilson's CGbint)
Lloyd George Wouldn't Let Few Promises Stand Between Him and
Reci0nThe World Staggers and America Stumbes Because
the Repaaton Was Not Fixed Promptly Secretary Hughes Qualities
as Ready Letter Writer But He Has not Scored as B Collector
What Letting Europe Stew In Its Own Juice Has Brought

TTyHE time to collect debt 10
when your creditor has got
tho money and you know
where he keeps II.
The allied powers are learning
that truth now to their regret.
in . large sense world rehabili-
tation waits on tho payment by
Germany Of the rsparasion fund.
But Germany says II has not the
money and calmly asks: "Can
<ou set blood out Of = turnipf"
The United States has spent
ea4i,ooo,ooo In keeping troops in
Germany since the American
army Of occupation crossed the
Nhins In November. 1918. That
has bean nearly four years. II
was necessary to send the troops
In sitter the Armistice. That cost
was proper ono 70 essess upon
the German people. but to have
kept them there for four whole
years was as stupid a. our whole
international policy has been
since . majority of United States
Benators signed the Round Robin.
II you wish TO fix q time when
Tire nations that had won the
victory ON the field lost II in the
council. turn back 70 the Con-
6ressional Record and find the
date that Senator Lodge. over
protests. inserted his little docu-
mont Of scuttle In that publica~
tion. It hampered the American
nexotiatcrs ana disheartened all
Europeans who sensed that II
was the formal notice. LET Eu-
rope Stew in It's Own Juice"
Still. most people could not be-
Iisve that America. which with
NO selfish reason had poured its
blood and treasure out to save
the world would scuttis. II was
mot until that act had actually
been accomplished by the Senate
that q sheil-shocked world went
10 pieces.
SHUTTING THE DOOR.
We are now trying to shut the
door of the stable after the horse
il out. Secretary Hughes has
written three letters demanding
payment from Germany for the
cost of keeping our army In Ger
!, many all these years. The Ger
mans didn't want them there.
There was no necessity Of keep
ing them except our own indie
fensioie delays and playing poll
tics. And now after Mr.. Hughes
has written again, the answers
he set are two: .t1) Germany has
no money; D everything that
5 Germany has got ia mortgaged
90 the allied nations to pay repa-
rations. One reason would be suf-
ficient II true.
Not only does Germany owe
Uncle Sam this s2<1, 900. 600. but
big American companies are de-
rnanding that the Government
compel Germany to pay them
over $500. 200 900 for their prop
critics in Germany which were
seized or Equidated by the Ger
man custodian Of allied proper
ties
And Secretary Hughes continues
20 write notes. The Germans are
said 20 have enlarged their
archives in order to make room
for tho notes which their cred
ftcrs insist upon writing. ''T'n
ten the world. m the vernaculsr
goes. that as q note writer Secre-
sary Hughes ''slinss q nasty
quill" He makes II all so plain
that Germany owes the money.
And his demands are made in
the best English. They must be
regarded as models of letter writ
ing by Hew German professors
Of Letter writing Made Easy"
Since the Japs have gone home
MFR. Hughes. with less oriental
diplomacy TO occupy his time. has
more leisure for letter writing and
he svidsntiy enjoys the pastims.
1t br1nGs equally weiilwritten
notes In rspiy.
AN HONEST DEBT.
To BE- sure the debt que me
Tinted etstss ~ Germany for the
vt Of keeping American troops
H. Germany IL An honest debt
vi n Germany agreed to pay in
the terms OF the armistioe. It is
true. OF course. that Germany
made that promise under duress.
hei- itself. At that time Amer
and did 30 because II could not
icsns and Germans thought IL
would last for only . few months
and rot amount to much money.
l. ID equally true that the debt
which Germany owes to France
IL equally binding upon Germany.
II n . much larger debt and
France needs Il for reparation-
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