Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1922-12-28
TIGERS PLEAFOR
HELP FOR EUROPE
URGING FIRST THE
NEED OF ECONOMIC RELIEF
FOR THE FRENCH PEOPLE
IT WOULD AID WHOLE WORLD
Distressing Condition of the Peasantry
In the War-Devastated Regions Of
France, Described by One Who Was
There Recently.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK


Washington.-Geo Clemenceau.
otherwise the Tiger, has been treading
and threading the intricacies of the
Washington jungle. He has his en-
emies here, some of them In ambush
and some of them In the open places.
1t must be said in justice to the aged
trenchman, that as he showed himself
unafraid elsewhere in the country, he
showed himself unafraid here.
Ii is not the intention here to enter
into the disputes which touch on such
things as league of nations, or more
mildly an association of nations. but
it can be said that there seems to be
growing disposition among men of
all parties in Washington to try to
find some means by which Europe can
be helped without entangling the Uni
tied States in the meshes of foreign al
liances.
Georges Clemenceau, here and in
other cities as well, disclaimed any
thought of trying to persuade the Uni
ted States to enter the League Of Ma
tions. He has repudated also every
desire to embroil this country in any,
thing except what he thinks are hui
manitarian measures, good for the
world and good for the United States.
or course, the plea is for France and
he has charged that Germany still has
designs on French peace and French
territory, but these things aside, the
main plea which Clemenceau has made
Is for relief for the economic condition
of the French people and as a corol-
larry the economic relief Of all the coun-
tries of Europe.
Material Evidence of Distress.
1t Is known, of course. that nearly
all the countries of Europe are In a
bad financial condition. 1t is the in
tention here to deal only with what
one has seen with his own eyes. the
material evidence of the financial trou-
bles which are affecting France today,
and in considerable measure the other
countries of Europe. Frenchmen say
that an adjustment of French, Italian,
British and other matters will mean
an adjustment of German matters and
that stability will come to Europe.
Dispatches from American CORE
spondents in France declare that the
work of restoration of the cities. viii
lagos and hamlets which were de-
stroyed by the cannon Of war must be
given over for lack Of funds to contin-
ne the work. One of the most inter-
esting of the recent dispatches is that
which tells of the exodus of the peas
ant farmers from the land to the great
cities.
1t is necessary to go to places to
learn the facts about them. Last sum-
mer | covered miles of the devastated
regions of France and l kept my eyes
open and asked questions. The sleepy
eyed and the most mentally moribund
man cannct but he made alert amid
such scenes as those which spread
themselves before the vision of the
visitor in the fields of the French re-
public.
1t is true that nine-tenths of the az
ricultural lands of France have been /
reclaimed for tillage, but the cities, +
villages, hamlets and farmhouses for 1
the most part are still in the dust. The /
French need money TO pay for the
work of restoration. They cannot get
II.
Pathetic Condition of Pessantry.