Evening star., 1922-08-13
AMERICAN PROSPERITY -
SEEN IN AID OF EUROPE
Conditions abroad as affected BY United
States Foreign Policy Defined yss
by Otto HI. Kahn. ID" m

the single important matter which
II was called upon to adjudicate sine.
IL came into beiHg-i. e.. the settle,
ment of the German-Silesian 'fYSn
tier-ItS proceedings and verdict are
open TO question on the score Of the
method OF procedure and OF judicial
| impartiality. r.@T'
.Nenturing, in all modesty, to Of
Ter some constructive suggestions. ]
would say that what it seems to me
We could and should do. consistent
| with American traditional policies
I with the spirit of the verdict of the
last presidential election and with
alTuIsm, duty and self-interest, il
f., this:
Heparation Representation.
!. ! believe it would be well IL
we were officially represented on the
| reparationS commission (on which
| We have always had, and now have
an admirably qualified but unofficial
| deiegatel and on kindred commissions
| destined TO settle controversial ques-
| tons and to aid the recuperation of
Europe, but involving no tangible
commitment 10 America.
2. While opposed to our joining
| the league of nations in it's present
form, | wonder whether we could see
/ our way-with all due reservations
! to being represented informally and
unofticially in the meetings of the
committees. 1t is conceivable that
| from such contact there might re-
suit such readjustment of the con-
stitution and nature of the league as
| to give il the character of an asso-
citation with which We should be juStI-
| fed in esta bliShing official connection.
':3. We should deal in Il large-vis
ioned and liberal manner with the
debts due US from the allied nations.
We might begin, 1t seems to me. by
3 Il
hand, the advances made by US 70:
direct warmaking purposes and, Oil
the other hand. those used otherw lse
during the war and those made after
the armistice. I would utilize az
least the first portion of those debts
! to aid in bringing about that change
of attitude and conditions in Europe
which is indispensable il the world
is to be again on an even keel. 4
would not relinquish any OF our
claims as a free gift, but only in con-
sideration Of, and in return for,
measures leading to the elimination,
as far as possible. or at least the
prompt and essential mitigation. OF
the circumstances and conditions
which keep Europe in unsettledness
and turmoil.
Profitable Investment.
Il feel convinced that such bar
gain would be good and profitab BILE
investment and would not only Result
in securing valua BILE moral asset
for America, but would be of distinct
material benefit to US. The purchas-
ing power of the European market
may not. for a certain length of time,
be wholly indispensable to our
manufacturers-thou 1t undoubt-
edly is TO some of them-but il is
absolutely indispensable to the pros
perity of our farmers, because they
! have no other market for their sur
plus
This whole matter of debts and
claims and demands between the va
! rious nations is interrelated. The
| recently published note of Lord Bal
! four has set forth the real situation
| with commendable frankness and
! perfect lucidity. 1t asks nothing
| from us-it simply points out the
! facts 1t is for us alone to draw con-
| clusions from undeniable premises.
These reciprocal debts and claims.
| in their undiminished magnitude,
hang like milestone around the neck
of Europe Their effect, unless the
situation is alleviated. will be pro-
gressively troublesome to all nations
/ concerned. the claimants only less
than the debtors.
! Il realize that this is a problem
! from tackling which the timidity and
| opportuniSm of the political mind
recoils. 1t calls for the pressure OF
| enlightened public opinion. l am
| convinced. when the moral and prac-
| teal elements of that problem come
| to be fully understood by the Amer
| lean people. that their verdict VIII be
| in favor of helpful, constructive and
! generous action all round. To aid in
restoring the consuming and pur-
| chasing power of Europe is to aid
| the prosperity of America