Evening star., 1922-12-30
Hughes Points Way to Cure
Of Worlds Economic Illness
Secretary Of State, in First Pronu''cia'
n,e,,to From Administration Circles,
Suggests appointment of Experts.

out of politics. Statesmen have their
difficulties, their public opinion, the
exieencies which they must face. IL
is devoutIy to be hoped that they Will
effect q settlement among themselves
and that the coming meeting at Paris
will ind a solution. But II 1t does
not, what should be done? The al
tentative Of forcible measures to OBJ
tain reparAtions Is not an attractive
one. No one can foretell the extent
of the serious consequences whicn
might ensue from such a course
Apart from political results. l be-
lieve that the opinion OF experts is
that such measures will not produce
repayation payments. but might tend
to destroy the basis OF those payments
which must be found in economic
recuperation.
III. however. statesmen cannot
agree and such an alternative is
faced, what can be done? Is there
not another way out? The fundamen-
tai condition is that in this critical
moment the merits Of the question. as
an economic one, must alone be re-
Barded- Sentiment. however natural
must be dfsregsrded: mutual recrimi-
the past. whether accurate or mac
curats. promise nothing; assertions
Of blame on the one hand and ex-
| cuses on tho other come to naught
Should Call Experts.
There ought to be way for
statesmen to agree upon what Ger
| many can pay. for. no matter what
claims may be made against her. that
is the limit OF satisfaction. There
ought to be way to determine that
limit and to provide a financial plan
by which immediate results can be
obtained and the European nations
can feel that the foundation has been
, laid for their mutual and earnest
endeayors to bring about the utmost
prosperity to which the industry of
their people entities them.
III statesmen cannot agree, and
exigencies of public opinion make
their course difficult. then there should
be called to their aid those who can
point the way to a solution.
Why SHOULD they not invite men
OF the highest authority in finance In
their respective countrieg-men Of
such prestige, experience and honor
that their agreement upon the amount
to be paid. and upon financial plan
for working out the payments. would
be accepted throughout the world as
the most authoritative expression OBJ
tainable? Governments need not bind
themselves in advance to accept the
recomme endations. but they can at
least make possible such an inquiry
with their approval and free the men
who may represent their country in
such q commission from any respon-
sibility to foreign officers and from
any duty to obey political instruc-
tions. In other words. they may in
vite an answer to this difficult and
standing and in such circumstances
of freedom as will insure a reply
prompted only by knowledge and
conscience.
Americans Would Serve.
IT have no doubt that distinguished
Americans would be willing to serve
on such q commission. II govern
ments saw At to reject the recon-
mendation upon which such body
agreed they would be free to do so,
but they would have the advantage OF
ened public opinion. Peoples would
be informed. the question would be
rescued from assertion and counter
assertion and the problem put upon
Its way to solution.
II do not believe that any general
conference would answer the purpose
better. much less than any political
conference would accomplish a re-
suit which preniers hnd II impossible
to reach. But I do believe that a
small group. given proper freedom
Of action. would be able soon to de-
q
enough to consider forcible measures
after such an opportunity had been
exhausted. Such body would not
only be expert but friendly. 1t would
not be bound by special offcial obli-
cations: 1t would have no animus and
truth. In q situation which requires
an absence of technicality and i'm
munity from interference. hope that
the way may soon be found for a
frank discussion and determination
Of what is essentially an economic
problem.
"The United States has the most
friendly and disinterested purpose in
this matter. and wishes to aid in any
practicable way. But it Is idle to
make suggestions which arouse false
hopes and are SO impracticable that
they cannot bear fruit. On the Other
hand, there lies open broad avenue
Of opportunity If those whose volun.
tary action is Indispensable are will
ing to take advantage Of 1t. And
once this 10 done. the avenues OF
American helpfulness cannot fail to
open hopefully"
Discusses Arms Farley.
Aside from the economic question
dress to q discussion ef the results
| Of the Washington arms conference
i with respect to the recent public dis.
cussion Of auxiliary craft program
such az the Japanese and British
cruiser projects, he said:
There 10 nothing that can be cailet
| in any degree alarming"
1T ought to be possible" Mr.
Hughes said. also with reference Il
total auxiliary craft tonnage un
! touched by the Washington treaty
| ITO arrange q modus vtvendi which
would preclude a wastefui and un
! necessary competition"
I So far as American cruiser strength
| 10 concerned. he said. "the United 6tates
| il not as well supplied as It should be
but the treaty does not interfere witt
adequate provision by the United 5tatei
/ to supply this want, and It should b<
Mr. Hughes declared that difiicultie,
&. which prevented further naval limita.
, tons by the conference. 20 far as i,e
was able to zee. "stili stand, The fail.
tufe then to make moro sweeping limita
tions, he added, lis no attributable te
u.s.
Summarizing his review Of the naval
pact and criticisms directed against It
The Secretary said:
my conclusion is that the naval
treaty will stand the test Of analysis
and fair statement, taking all the per.
tinent facts into consideration and
4