New-York tribune., 1922-12-17
An American Plan

President Harding has shown true
ss.esmsuship in sensing the hour
s,r action in international affairs
and in striking swiftly and with all
uurage. He solved the difficult and
iurrrous problem Of the Pacific
Hs led the nations of Europe a long
CD forward in tho reduction OF
uYsl armaments. There are su'
risious signs that he enters tho
rnopean economic problem at the
wscise moment when an American
sutton has become possible.
Quite properly he is conducting
ne preliminary negotiations in Sc
urcy. The country appreciates the
sseulties and sensibilities Of the
d.uation, and will gladly respect his
jssire for this method. Further
more. the vast majority of Ameri-
uns have no wish TO insist upon any
st or particular scheme. The call
a. nothing" dictatorial policy Of Mr..
Hsrding's predecessor was over
whelmed at the polls, and there is
profound appreciation Of the steady,
step By step progress, in close co
opeation with the will Of Congress
and Of the people, that the present
Administration has made in our for
sign affairs. For a set and imprac-
teal union Of states has been sub
stituicd an Elective spirit of con-
SAINT International co operation
-&henya and whenever opportunity
offered Tiis is a tremendous gain.
Thus in discussing an American
plan for oC1 1nomic cooperation The
Tribuue has no thought Of insisting
1oon precise measures or suggesting
tat any especial policy must be
driven down the throats of our Euro
pan friends. Clearly the situation
calls for the utmost Of concessions
isi compromise by all concerned
There are many factors to be con-
sidered. Only a generous will to
ps together can possibly succeed.
But there are certain fundamental
facts which It is urgently necessary
% bear in mind. In the develop
nent Of an American plan it must
never be forgotten that we fought a
great war side by side with our al
les and 20 defeat an aggressor
against international law and a
uolator Of civilization. A due re-
nrd for these friends and for in
anatiOnal justice must remain al
Fsys hrst in our thoughts.
There is loose talk against France
a the present moment because her
government has been considering the
occupation Of the Ruhr district as a
means Of forcing Germany to pay.
What needs to be remembered is that
some such pressure or control must
e an integral part Of any solution
y whomsoever presented. The
hhr plan presents grave practical
NisesiOns which have been seen as
eafy IN France as anywhere else.
'aas has considered the plan only
S'at resort, in case every other
td compelling Germany in good
~ b try to pay reparations
Ns,A hil. What possible avail
~Ee y loan Germany $1,5OO,-
''''ss9sny other sum, if she per-
~ ~ be- policy Of imitation and
'"'''a' France has been willing
~ many months to scale down the
''naa blll if she could be assured
united Allied front to enforce
collection Of the reduced sum.
"a' must be faced first, therefore,
e Ny Plan is the question of how
"Any can be made to end her
.~sS oi evasion. TO accept the judg-
oi her peers and to pay the
~ OF which she is capable
'sru repairing the damage which
= has done.
iae fixing Of the sum which Ger
can pay and the devising Of
\ Allied control Of German
.e'es as viii insure the payment
''e0i must thus be the first items
= considered. The Administra-
= night in insisting that the
san' Of the reparations must be
'us'ed wholly apart from the
''on OF Allied debts. The Amer
4 people might be glad to remit
~, Aii'ed debts TO this country in
Or 10 part, but they would
M remit them If remission
c.uVed y Americas paying the
a,ss, asn debt. Such result is un-
'D'e' Yet unless the German