Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-12-30
DECLARES u. S.
IS OPPOSED TO
PLAN OF FORCE
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- 60 ---
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THE economic conditions in Eur
ope give us the greatest concern"
said Mr.. Hughes. They have long
received the earnest consideration OF
the administration. 1T is idle to say
that we are not interested in these
problems for we are deeply interested
from an economic standpoint as our
credits and markets are involved and
from a Humanitarian standpoint as
the hear. of the American people
goes out to those who are, IN distress.
We car not-dispose of these problems
by calling them European for they
are world, problems and we can not
escape the injurious consequences Of
a failure to settle them.
They are. however. European
problems in the sense that they can
not be solved without the consent of
european governments. We can not
consent for them. The key to the
settlement is in their hands. not in
ours.
Crux OF Situation.
The crux of the European situa-
ton lies in the settlement OF %
lions. There will be no adjustment
OF other needs, however pressing un-
til a definite and accepted basis for
e discharge of reparations claims
has been fixed. 1t is futile to attempt
to erect any economic structure in
Europe until the foundation is laid.
How a the United States help
in this matter? We are not seeking
r~eparationP. We are indeed asking
for the reimbursement Of the costs
or u army of occupation and with
good reason. for we have maintained
u army In Europe at the request of
! tho AI1na Qr1 nR (Nnrr, ~, a~a 49,.
der an agreement that it's costs with
like army costs should be a first
charge upon the amounts paid by
Germany. Others have been paid, and
we have not been paid.
"But We are not seeking genera
reparations; we are bearing our own
burden and through our loans a large
, part Of Europe's burden.
n demands of ours stand in the
way Of. a proper settlement OF The
reparatIons question.
American Standpoint.
"Of course we hold the obligations
Of European governments and tha-e
has been much discussion abroad and
here with respect to them. There
has been a persistent attempt ever
since the armistice to Link up tho
debts owing to our government with
Preparations or with projects of can
collation.. This attempt was resisted
in a determined manner under tho
former administration and under the
present administration.
1.-THE matter is plain enough fr W,
our standpoint. The capacity of Ger
many to pay Is not at all affected by
any Indebtedness of any of the Allies
to US. That Indebtedness does not
diminish Germany's capacity and its
removal would not increase her ca
pacity. For example If France had
been able to finance her part in the
war without borrowing at all from
us. that Is, by taxation n internal
loans. the problem Of what Germany
could pay would be exactly the same.
Moreover, SO far as the debtors to the
United States are concerned, they
have unsettled credit balances. and
their condition and capacity. to pay
can not be properly determined I'M
til the amount hat a be realized
ON these credits for reparations has
been determined.
Difficulty of Obliga tons.
1.-THE administration must also con
slider the difficulty arising from tire
fact that the question of these OBJ
legations which we hold, n what
shall be done with them. is not a
iquesLion within the province Of the
executive. Not only may congress
deal with public property Of this sort.
built has dealt with it. 1t has Gre
ated a commission and instead Of CIV
ing that commission broad powers
such as the administration proposed,
which quite apart from cancellation
might permit a sound discretion to be
exercised in accordance with the facts
elected. congress has placed definite
restrictions upon the power of the
commission in providing for the re-
funding of these debts.
But what Is our attitude toward
the question Of ~reparations, standing
az it does as a distinct question and as
one which can not be settled, unless
the European governments concerned
are able to agree?
1--WE have no desire to see Germany
relieved of her responsibility for the
war or OF lei just obligations.to make
reparation for the injuries due to her
aggression. There is Dot the slightest
desire that France shall lose any part
Of her just claims. On the other>hand
we do not wish to zee PROSTATE Ger
many. a9
"There car be mo economic recuper-
| alton in Europe unless Germany re-
cuperates. There VIII be no perma-
nent est unless economic satisfactions
are enjoyed. There must be hope and
industry must have promise Of reward
!! should view with disfaypr5 measures,
| which instead of producing repara-
lions would threaten disaster.
A. Sufficient Answer.
Some Of own peoples have
suggested that the United States
should assume the role of arbiters
There. Is one sufficient answer to this
suggestion and that is that We have
not been asked to assume the role Of