Evening star., 1922-08-27
Presents Canadian View of War Debts
Owed by Europe to the United States

loan. but an advance to be expended
in the work in which both were inter-
ested; and that II tho farmer had ex-
pended more than the banker he had
complete Offset and owned nothing.
Co-0perntfon In the Field.
Even when the American troops did
arrive in force and began to take
their glorious part in bringing the
war to a conclusion. they were still
very deficient in artillery. In many
cases they advanced under the pro-
lection Of u screen Of shells from
French or British artillery. This was
ideal cooperation. 1t saved untold
thousands OF American lives and
brought victory. Yet much of this
artillery and of those shells had been
purchased in the United States. and
their cost forms part of the so-called
debt.
In killed and seriously wounded
France lost in the war 100000;
Britain, 100000; and Italy. 100000.
In men actually killed. the allies lost
2,650,0OO The United States lost 50.-
900 killed. Canada lost $4,000.
Prior to the war the wealth of
Britain was estimated at sS5.000,-
OOO, 900 She now has d debt of about
s35, 900. 100000 or say 40 per cent
Frances wealth was estimated at
sos 900. 100000. Her debt is now about
sac, 900. 100000. or nearly 80 per cent.
The United States has an estimated
wealth of 100000. .00o. 900. with war
debt of $4,000. 900. 900. or 10 per cent.
If the amount now claimed be re-
paid, her debt will be reduced to $12.-
O0O, 900. 900, or a little over 5 per cent.
The allies. from the day each en-
tered the struggle, applied all their
resources in men, money and ma
terials to the prosecution of the
war. giving everything they had
without stint. Should the United
States. with her vast resources; con-
tribute practically nothing for year
after her entry? Was she not as
wholehedrted as her associates?
During the Napoleonic wars Brit
ain. made heavy advances to her al
lies. and these she freely Cancelled
1t was felt that the most wealthy
nation should properly contribute
more financially than the others.
Counter Claims OF Allies.
To sum up: These advances were
made after the United States entered
the war: they were made exactly as
were the contributions in men or
money of the other associates; there
is no reason why contributions OF
one associate should be treated as
loans while those of the others are
treated as gifts: these advances were
not ordinary loans. for they were
made for expenditure for the beneht
of all the associates and because the
United States desired those expendl-
lures to be made. If these advances
be treated as mere loans. the United
States made no effective contribution
to the joint war for a year after ner
entry, ahd has not borne her reason
able share of the joint burdens; and
finally. the allies have counter claims
which should be complete offset.
These claims have no basis in equity,
and as to law, I submit that If the
case were between individuals an
American court would reject them.
That Britain admits the debt merely
means that she prizes the friendship
of the United States too highly to
have a dispute. and agrees to pay
rather than tarnish her national
honor in the eyes of any one.
These views are held by many of
your most eminent citizens, includ-
ing such an outstanding legal author
ity as Justice Clarke of the United
States Supreme Court. 1 quote from
an address made by him:
Consider what our condition would
have been with Germany victorious.
Such is something of the abyss
into which we ishould have been
plunged il we had not joined with the
allies and made victory possible.
What saved us from the immeas-
urable calamity Of such a war? 1t was
the French. British and Italian SOL
diers who held tho battle line In
Europe for the year that was neces-
sary for us to train and equip and