Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-15
of All
Allied Debts Asked
in Bonar Law Speech
British Premier Openly Appeals to America to
Begin Annulment of War Accounts to Prevent
Economic Disaster in Europe; Accepts Policy
of Lloyd George and Balfour in Suggestion.

British government was concern
ed, and that 1t would not consider
itself bound by it, feels impeIed TO
the same policy as the previous
government.
The remainedr of Mr.. Bonar Laws
speech was clearly addressed to both
France and the United States-to
France, plea for moderation in deal
ing with Germany on the ground that
that country is already on the verge
of collapse; America will call for help
and cooperation in settling the diff
ficult problems of reparations and in-
ter-allied debts
Another important phase of his
speech was the dark picture drawn OF
England's economic and industrial fu
ture, should the much hoped for i'm
provement in trade not materialize.
Wants No misunderstanding
The prime minister showed the ut
most anxiety that there should be no
misunderstanding of British feelings
toward both France and the United
States, and said that it was only Eng
lands difficult position he was max
ing clear. England was hlrdereni
with very heavy taxation. which was
a closing on industrial enterprise. re
sulting in terrible unemployment-a
problem that made it necessary first
that there should be no military oceu
patton of German territory which
would still further handicap European
trade without producing results III
cash and second, compelled him.
frankly TO face the fact that England
was unable to pay the American debt
if she received nothing from Europe.
Strong points in the speech were
the unfairness of the view that be
cause England had made sacrifices to
pay her way. she should be expected
to pay her debts, while others who
had made no such sacrifices escaped.
and the warning that too sudden de-
flation in Germany might produce
there all the evils of unemployment
from which other countries already are
suffering.
Labor Leader Speaks
In the subsequent debate the most
noteworthy contribution was by James
Ramsay Macdonald. the labor leader.
Mr.. lloyd George also spoke but con
fined himself to 4 brief expression OF
complete approval of Mr.. Bonar Laws
speech. Mr. Macdonald, on the con
trary. gave complete elucidation OF
the p01cS OF the ihDOr party. ne
maintained that the United States held
the key and was the only country able
to give Great Britain any help. He diff
fered from the premier, however, IN
believing that it was inadyisable TO
mix together too much the questions
of reparations and inter allied debts.
He admitted that Germany possessed
enormous industrial reserves, yet she
must be carefully handled or she would
follow Austria into bankruptcy. He.
feared that both France and England
would need TO lower their expectations
from Germany very substantially.
Declaring that reparations were a
curse to both those who paid and
those who received, the labor leader
said the real question was not what
Germany was able to pay but what the
allies could afford to receive and even
if Germany could pay the full amount
demanded. it would not be to the ad-
vantage of the allies to receive it.,
France must remember that England
has her own trade to consider and
while threats of military penalties
were mixed up with economic aims.
peace would be impossible.