Abilene weekly reflector., 1922-11-23
J PREPARATION AND
AMERICAS PROGRESS
By G. c. Iseley


All too briefly we have discussed
in the last three papers that Ameri-
can farm prosperity depends on the
European market, to make that mar
ket available additional credits to
Europe must be extended, and third
ly that Europe was still solvent from
a bankers viewpoint, provided
causes of instability could removed.
VA cartoon of Darling's recently
portrayed, an American farmer with
road to foreign markets. The lead
team half way round the world was
tied to the post Of German Repara-
tions. He wondered IL President
Harding didn't have an extra man to
send ahead to see what was holding
us back.
At the peace conference, Germany
was compelled to sign u treaty agree
ing to pay in damages or Reparation
so billion dollars. In Justice Ger.
many ought to pay all that was ask
ed. But so million dollars is worth
in America. Germany is not as large
as Texas. She can't pay that much.
The Premier of France, POincare,
bitter as he is, admits she can't pay
that much. But he also says France
can't pay England and America II
she doesn't collect from Germany.
Italy owes England and America
nearly billion, dollars. She also
cant pay if she can't collect from
Germany.
The British government owes the
government of the United States
over billion. She says she can't
pay us any thing but interest, if she
can't collect the s or 8 billions owed
her by France, Italy, Belgium,
Greece and the other Allies to say
nothing Of the ReparatiOn due her
from Germany While she is trying
to pay us interest, she is refusing to
buy our wheat for she is unable to
pay for our wheat and pay us inter
est at the same time.
While these questions are being
debated, European countries are
daily getting more bitter towards
each jother. Wars are threatened.
Turkey, taking advantage of the
strife and discOrd, comes to life and
upsets victories gained during the
war at the expense of the lives Of
American boys.
The German republic is weak.
fIA .,I1 WI nf
Kaiser Bill, are threatening it on
every hand. Since peace was signea
they have murdered 37S leaders Of
the German republic, including the
courageous Erzeberger, leader of the
Catholic party, and Rathenau, the
lionaire, a statesman and a patriot
His crime was that he believed that
Germany should pay and could pay
a considerable sum of the Reparation
and he was making plans according
ly.
Kaiser Bills memoirs now being
published. make him pretend to be
the friend of the German working
man and the Socialists. If the re-
public pays Reparations hs France
wants and needs, these Junkers will
say: '..See what mess this repub-
lie has made" If she does not pay
and France sends an army to collect,
they will say: "Times were better
when KAISER Bill was on the job,
and he always was the working
mans friend" If France reduces her
army according to our ideas, these
JunkerS will probably destroy the
republic of Germany. In fact Of these
facts millions of Americans are say
ing: France is militaristic, she is
the sabre. she is stupid be
sides. If she would only be fair,
and generous, all would be
lovely"
We have not space here to treat
land Italy, England and other Euro
pean countries. We have said enough
to indicate that the solution is a
matter requiring quick
but dispassiOnate action. As long as
there is such turmoil, American
II
credit as these countries need. As
long as credit is withheld the surplus
farm products of the Mississippi val
ley will rot unmarketed or will sell
at ruinously low prices.
Now I know hundred Kansas
bankers and as many merchants who
have customers in various kinds Of
financial distress. These bankers do
not publish an interview in the local
paper saying ~ wish those farmers
out in Fairvfew township would set
their house in order and get to work,
be economical and pay their debts"
If those farmers called meeting out
in a school house inviting the bank
.rs to come and discuss their troubles
with them, the bankers that l know
would not write curt note saying
hey had no concern IN such a con-
ference. No indeed! The bankers
md merchants of my acquaintance
nave already repeatedly called their
customers to come and see them.
Most OF them have spent days and
nights helping make plans to see
hem through another year.
But America with a sum of 10 to
IL billions due her as a nation, and
, or billions due her individuals, |
With several billions more available |
o be loaned to those customers and |
lebtors. with millions of bushels of |
wheat and millions of bales Of cotton