Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-08-30
Al The Crucial Siaur

COLONEL. T.. NJ. HOUSES discussion OF
~ the European situation discloses com"
Erehensive knowledge of causes which in
Creasingly add to its gravity, and his sus
gestons of means of relief are entitled TO
great weight; for he has achieved high
distinction Il profound student OF inter
national affairs. To his qualities OF a close
observer he has the knack of getting in CON
ndential touch alike with The big men on
whose shoulders rest The problems OF gov
eminent and those more directly related TO
the conduct of large business. Hence the
Facility with which he nnds access to inside
Information not accessible to those OF lesser
ICputc There is. he says. process OF
gradual disintegraion going on in Cont
mental Europe which. ii not arrested can
but mean a general crash, with consequences
impossible to estimate.
In brief. he suggests the following pro-
gram as essential TO save the situation: re-
convening OF the International bankers CON
ference TO take up the whole reparatiOns
ana European financial situations stimuli
taneously; rehabilitation of the league of
nations by new nonaggression pledges
among its members: European dsarma-
ment. both physical and mental: American
assistance if Europe thus disurms; reduc-
ton OF The German separations. balancing
OF budgets, and stoppage o! paper currency
issues.
This program Is not only practical and
feasible but the putting into effect OF any
one of its proposals would Immediately open
the way for the progressive carrying out
OF all of them As first step he stresses
The urgent necessity for RECOMMENDING Of
the international banking committee but
not until after the powers composing the SUI
premc council of the league OF nations have
agreed to confer upon it ample authority 10
consider the separations question in con
ncciion with the whole scheme OF rcha-
b!iitating Guropcs finances. That would
necessarily imply the relinquishing Of au-
thority To the committee to conduct an Pm
Ncstigation of the whole repnrations tangle
and then fix a sum which could be paid and
schedules on which il would be payable
With that authority conferred on the bank
era committee, loan could be made for
Germany which would stabilize the whole
situation of Central Europe Certainly
there Is no more suitable agency for deter
mining justly and fairly the amount OF rep
arations the allied governments can afford
TO exact. Numerous attempts by the allied
Premiers To agree on the subject indicate
that no sound arrangement can be expected
from that source.
With the reparations issue out OF the
way. the signing OF new and binding non
aggression pledges by the members OF the
league OF nations. and Germany admitted
10 membership therein. European disarma-
meht would follow quickly as a natural Sc
quence, thus relieving the nations of a large
share OF the heavy burden of military cx-
pcnse they now consider themselves forced
To carry. his done. America wouI,: Ne
only too ready 10 respond 20 the assurance
mat Europe was undertaking TO help Itself
and would gladly come to Its assistance H.
financially. In brief, the situation in Eau
rope has reached that crucial stage where
the politicians would best stand aside for
awhile aud let men who understand finances
work. out the solution of heading off the
OnconIing crash