Evening star., 1922-08-19
EDITORIAL DIGEST
Until Bankruptcy Is Confessed
America Should Maintain Claims.

Until Bankruptcy Is Confessed
America Should Maintain Claims.
The present discussion in Europe
of the imminence of complete bank
ruptcy of the nations there. coupled
with the renewed pressure from
abroad to have the United States re-
nit claims for moneys owed to IT
again has brought forth general
discussion of the merits of the sug-
gestion in this country. The senti-
ment. for the most part. is opposed to
any action by the CHited States
while European conditions remain
as they are. There is. of course
strong appeal by many papers for
the use by the United States OF the
present situation to compel general
land disarmament by the European
powers. editors holding that If this
could be accomplished the United
States could wipe the slate clear
other papers suggest that both
France and Great Britain have terri
tory on this side of the Atlantic
which could be transferred to this
country in lieu of. cash. while still
others are adamant against remis-
sion of the debt under any circum-
stances.
THE time may come" a;e, suggests ss1iae the
Boston Traveller. when speciai relieI
for some or all of the debtor nations
may have to be considered. But
America is not yet convinced that
this is necessary. When Europe mas
done it's best and failed. America
may help. But it is too much IN line
America to pay, in large part, Tor
Europe's war Any change what
ever in the debt ratio of Europe
must take into consideration the
| plight of France" according to the
Boston Christian Science MONITOR pe .ea
French debt and the German debt is
indispuatable" In this connection,
the Asbury Park Press believes
there is much that is worthy OF con-
sideration in Senator Borahs s,atea ,sa
ment concerning cancellation OF the
Fnronean debit provided there is a
corresponding disarmament by the
huge military machine Of the allied
countries. I,o
| what now is needed "is real co-opera-
ton and leadership which this gov
ernment alone can give" but the New
York Post assumes the position that
"France and England must thrash
out their problem Of debt and repara-
ton without reference to action by
the United States-that is now clear
on the other side. as here. The chi
caeo Tribune points out that alone
among the victors the United states
left Paris as 1t came and 1t reneWs
the suggestion that Great SWAN IHs,
Indies and France has the frencn
West Indies, which are of no value to
either Great Britain or france ex-
cept as outposts against US IN war.
Granting that war between US is I'm.
F1 10
il we wish to make assurance doupiy
sure as we ought to and do. the way
is open for both Great Britain and
France, by making over these unnec-
essary possessions to us at 1alr
price, in partial accounting tor the
hugh loans made to them at mo-
feas.' fes' '
The problem eventually must be
faced, however, and the Rochester
Times-Union urges that 1t be faced
now, as 1--WE need to wake up and to
wake up now. We need to show our
leaders that we are ready to face the
problem. They cannot act until we
say the word. And they will not. 1t
is up to every one of US to face the
20 forth that will strengthen those
in authority to do the thing that
must be done. Delay is folly. Face
the facts!"
The Mobile Register further argues
that "a practical people will look at
of obtaining the best results. If the
debt is not possible to be paid in full
within a reasonable time it is unwise
to measure it at its face value. The
question appears to be: What can
be saved from the wreck" The To-
ain asserts firmly her intention of
paving America in full, all the lead
ing British fnanciers assert quite as
firmly that Britain cannot afford to
accept payment of the war debt which
nav in goods Britain dare not, for
the sake of her own industries. let
the goods in. It will be the same way
with the United States But it will
take q long time for the American
that it will pay them better to cancel
q ten-billion-dolla debt than open
their doors to the payment of It.
Nohing, perhaps, but a substantial
experience in the form Of repayment
will convince them"
country, as well as in Europe, the
Cleveland Plain Dealer says, that
our credits to the allies should be re-
garded as part Of the American cotl-
tribution toward winning the war.
But in this country the memories of
Of some millions of service men and
their families to make politically i'm
possible, and generally undesirable,
any policy that permits Germany to
escape payment for her offense." An
other obstacle in the way is the vast
armies still being maintained in Eu-
rope, the Syracuse Herald insists, and
sEurope must cut down her armament
budgets before she can expect any
plan for an all-around reciprocal for
xiveness Of national debt to obtain
popular favor In the United States"
Picayune thinks. whether the billions
owed as by foreign governments will
Ultimately be paid ID, beside the pres
emf sdueation. Cancellation of the debt