The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-11-20
QUIBBLING ON
PREPARATIONS QUESTION
POWERS INSIST G ERMANY
MUST PAY FOR WAR, BUT
AMOUNT NOT AGREED ON.
STAGGERS UNDER HUGE DEBT

OA1O0AGNU 0LNOAN AAOOA OGDA
Appointment of Expert Commission
To Decide Problem Baked by the
French, Who Are Fearful That the
Debt May Be Reduced.
What can Germany pay? That
question has come to the forefront a
number of times since the world war,
and it is today again agitating the
capitals of the world, including
Washington.
The question at issue is PREPARATIONS
the amount in gold marks that Ger
many shall pay for the destruction it
wrought in war. Ever since civilized
nations engaged in warfare the rule
has been that the defeated nation shall
pay. The world is agreed that Ger
many shall pay, but there is a dis
agreement as 10 the amount it shall
pay.
The peace treaty of Versailles pro-
vided for a PREPARATIONS commission,
which deals with Germany in receiv-
ing payments, but the amount agreed
on has been fixed several times. The
treaty stipulated a certain amount, but
later, on several occasions, this amount
has been decreased by special COM
missions appointed by the various
powers which fought side by side in
the war.
The war debt of Germany has been
fixed the last time at l2000,000000I
gold marks.
Conflicting Statements.
Germany says she has already paid
56,000,000,000 marks of this. 1t has
not been said officially, but in pam
phlets distributed throughout til
country. These pamphlets are general
ly construed as propaganda. France
says that Germany has paid but g.,
000,000,000 marks to date.
Meantime, about year ago, France
sent an army into the Ruhr valley,
the richest industrial section of Ger
many, to guarantee payments of rep
arations.
The Germans resisted passively the
French occupation, as well as the Bel
gian, which country also sent small
force into the Ruhr. Resistance took
the form of refusal to cooperate in
operating the factories and mines Of
the Ruhr. Germany persuaded the
workers to remain idle. The workers
were paid in marks Such a flood of
marks flowed into the Rhur with moth
ing given in exchange that an already
tottering currency completely collaps-
ed
100000 Idle in Germany.
Then Germany admitted she was
beaten in the Ruhr. With that admis-
sion came the collapse of everything
within the country. Within a month
the number of idle increased from
100000 to 100000 workers.
II is agreed in Europe that prosper
ity will not return until Germany has
been put on her feet The nations Of.
the world are so closely associated in
a commercial way that the prosperity
of one is generally reflected in the
prosperity of the other. Europe wants
Germany back on her feet. So does
the United States. This country wants
to sell goods to Germany, but not for
gold marks at the present rate of ex
change
England, Belgium and Italy beliese
that Germany is staggering under its
enormous debt. These countries be-
lieve that the burden should be light
ened, that the war debt should be de-
creased, enabling the country to re-
cover
France Disagrees.
France disagrees. France says that
Germany shall pay $4,000, OO00OO
gold marks and not a mark nor frac-
ton of mark less. France says that
it has spent billions of her mony for
restoration of her destroyed provinces
and that Germany with no destroyed
areas, ought to be able to at least
match dollar for dollar, or franc for
franc, or mark for mark.
England, Italy and Belgium have
proposed that another commission OF
experts study the reparations prob
lem and determine just how much
Germany is able to pay. The United
States has been invited to take part
and the United States is willing, &C
cording to Secretary of State Hughes.
But a hitch has developed. France
insists that the war debt of Germany
be not decreased, the commission on
ly deciding just what Germany is able
to pay at the present time. She tears
that the commission may reduce Ger
many's burden. The other countries
would place no restriction on the COM
mission whatsoever. That is the hitch
lust at the present time.
Returns to Germany.
Former Crown Prince Frederick
William has returned to Germany.
France has entered a vigorous pro-
test, and urging that he be expelled
from the fatherland.