The New York herald., 1922-05-02
Frances War Claims.
Effect on Reparations Of the Russo.
German Treaty.

To THE New YORK HERALD The Ger
man-Russian pact has operated to bring
into the Genoa agenda the ugly question
OF the quantum OF Gernany's repara-
tions obligation. especially to France.
The United States has an interest, indi-
rect possibly but nevertheless vital to
the happy solution Of this question
The reservation under the Versailles
treaty of the right of de jure Russian
Government when established, to rep
aratlons against Germany did not con-
template an increase Of the amount
fixed at the Paris conference. but intro
duccd an indeterminate factor, chang
ing the percentage Of division between
the Allied and Associated Powers-it be-
ing contemplated that the United States
would become a signatory. Aside from
its undivided interest in the vast terri
tories and colonies alienatcd from Ger
many. equal in estimated value TO the
reparations fund. the United States was
to have had fifth interest in this sum-
1t was not thought that France, hav-
ing great claims upon Russia would
object to her participation in the rep
arations, though the percentage Of the
share of France as we'll as other of the
Allied and Associated Powers would
have been reduced and of the Ameri-
can interest the late Senator Knox de-
clared, August 2. 1919: 'What ! am
afraid Of is that the general impression
having gotten out that we do not in
tend to demand our share, that we in
tend to remit it, the amount that Ger
many is to pay will be fixed with that
in view. and that the other Powers will
get the benefit OF our remission instead
OF Gcrmany's getting it," Perhaps this
is actually the case and throws new
light on the practical consequences OF
the Russian-German treaty.
1t is difficult to see that Russia in
releasing Germany from war claims has
placed the Allies in a worse position
than they were before, for if the Soviet
Government receives their recognition
it's right accruing under the Versailles
treaty would be destroyed. II the
claims of the allied signatories Of the
Versailles treaty against Germany were
never intended to exceed the thirty
billions in funds and territorial posses.
sions exacted under that treaty. which
certainly never contemplated recovery
of Germany against Russia, it is diff
cult TO see wherein Is the actual preju-
dice, and the Allies would appear to be
better off than before neither has the
Soviet compact diminished the assets of
Germany subject to just repsration de-
mands OF the Allies.
The consideration Of what in truth is
! IL,
the discretion of Congress to be remit
ted to Germany, as was the Boxer in
demnity to China, is then material TO
the redetermination of the final repara-
tions obligations Of Germany, Russia
having eliminated herself, at least pro
tempore and il she is to be recognized,
the recognition Of Russia turning upon
her validating her external IL not in
ternal repudiated obligations. and upon
the enforcement OF the sanctions OF in
ternational law, France cannot lose and
Germany must, in fact. be put again into
position of economic stability ade-
quate to meet her just obligations to the
| former.
! These in brief are the reasons for
| American participation on the Repara-
I tions Commission, provided the Allies
signatories OF the Versailles treaty. will
| agree to her particular interest and
right to remit the same to Germany
Only for this reason should reparations
be funded through an international con-
sortium and France thereby be released
from her present nightmare of dread
and debt. ]. WHITLA STINsoN.
NEW YORK. May /.