New-York tribune., 1922-02-10
Kahn FavOrs
Canceling of
All War Debts
Insists 1t Is the Bes, Way
10 Bring International
REIMBURSEMENT: Nation
Still in Economic Mess
Names Four Conditions
Recommends Participation
bv l.. :. III Genoa ParIcy
if Discussion Is Open

Otto II. Kahn, speaking last night at
tho annual meeting Of the National IN
stitutc Of Social Science in the bali
room Of his home. 100 Fifth Avenue
proclaimed himself in favor Of can
ceiling all foreign debts growing out
of the war as the best way TO bring
about international rcadjustmcnt.
lie said that the nation still was III
an economic mess. forty per cent of
which was due to the war. twenty five
per cent Of which was due to peace and
thirty-fve per cent Of which was due
to "our own cussedncss in some things
"Pcrsonally | am in favor of doing
everything to help Europe to rcadiust
itself. And am opposed to the League
of Nations only because it was ignom
inously butchcrcd when it came back
to US.
"I think that from moral and bus-
ness point of view we ought to cancel
all foreign debts. Every one ought to
wipe out all Of the war debts irrcspcc-
tive OF the ability Of countries affected
to pay 1t would be the best invest
ment we ever made. We are rich
enough and generous enough, and we
ought 10 do it gladly.
Mr.. Kahn said, however. that it
would be futile and Quixotic to make
this Iift unless it were sure TO be
effective and useful that it would not
be wasted. Therefore. he said that it
should be made under four conditions: {:
First That the reparation question
be settled in some final way:
Second-That tho budgets Of Europe
be put in a state of equilibrium
Third-That the various useless bar
rcrs in the way Of trade between ma
tons be removed.
ourth That the exchanges be stabil-
i2ed.
Fovors Genoa Conference
He also expressed himself in favor
of having the nation join in the Genoa
conference provided no restrictions
were imposed on the free and unre-
strained exchange Of opinions by all
concerned. and that the Russian ques
ton be definitely settled before the
American delegates took their places
at the same table with Lcnine and
Trotsky.
What we need most" he said. lis
spirit Of audacious kindlincss. Amer
ica needs to get away from this spirit
of narrow selfishness. We should do
everything Ill our power 10 Hcl Ill
touch with the Russian people them
selves. We should endeavo to get the
spirit Of free America and the spirit
OF all free governments TO the Rus
sian people. We should be willing to
enter by any door and open up that
great producing and consuming coun-
try
Former Secretary Of Commerce Will
liam c. Redheld also spoke. He cx-
pressed qualification over what had
been accomplished by the recent Con
ference on the Limitation OF Arma-
ment.
I'VE have achieved great spiritual
triumph, he said. land feel that
the Harding Administration deserves
the praise OF all mankind.'
There were about 100 persons present
at the meeting. Emory r. Johnson
presided. James G. McDonald presi-
uent Of the Foreign Relations Associa-
ton, announced that just before the
meeting the organization had sent a
telegram to President Harding "ecom-
mending the participation of the United
States on the conditions proposed by
/ Mr.. Kahn.