Evening star., 1923-03-27
Rhine Army Cost Is a Debt Of
Honor.

Honor.
The failure of the allied govern
ments to meet the payments from
the money they already have col-
lected from Germany OF the cost OF
the American Army of occupation is
displeasing TO most editors, who
argue that this is a debt OF honor
which must be met. They likewise
point out that the troops were kept
on the Rhine at the request Of the
allies for the moral effect" they
would have. and the suggestion that
this country apply the cost Of seized
shipping on the amount OF the bill
does not sit very well.
The very fact that the ships which
the allies would have ''assayed" as
partial payment for the United States
are practically unstable at the pres
ent moment is commented on by the
Mobile Register, which suggests that
at present figures they are worth
''about $50 a ton II the ships still re-
tanned cannot be sold they are not
even worth $50 a ton TO the American
government. Apparently the allies, in
stead of paying the American govern
ment directly, and regarding the cost
OF the American occupation as an OBJ
States. want the United States to as
sumo part of the burden" The whole
savors. of international dishonesty
the Aberdeen World insists, because
the allies made bargain with this
country that the cost of maintaining 6
the American soldiers on the Rhine
would be paid out OF German pay
ments made for that express purpose.
Germany has paid for the cost OF
maintaining all those soldiers; the al
10
now tell us TO look to Germany for
our money In private business af-
fairs that sort of thing would brirg G
law suit and probable criminal ac-
ton. In international affairs 1t sim
ply leads to diplomatic notes. The
allies at the peace conference divided
the world among them. They took
everything on which they could lay
their hands. This country asked and
took nothing. 1t made a bargain on
troops on the Rhine. This country
trusted the allies. They have failed 10
keep their part of the contract. Not
only that, but they have misapproprf-
ated money that belongs to the United
States. According to the European
program we are to bear the burdens
of the world, we are TO do all the jobs
Europe does not want to do, to give
our money, time and energy freely to
Europe. while Europe goes out and
world. We have failed to fall in with
that program; therefore Europe as
sails US as a Shylock. 1t ds high time
that Shylock told few plain truths"
There is possibility, however, that
too much attention is being given to
this one particular claim IN the opin-
ion of the st. Louis Globe Democrat,
which points out that the joint COM
mission which Is to meet In Washing
ton next month will have to deal with
claims amounting to about a billion
dollars. This amount will Shrink in
the hearings" 1t says. and It wonders
when the amounts Germany must
pay are fixed yhow~will she spaytth EN-
What will the amounts fretuTned be
worth when Germany is Judgment
proof?' In this latter connection the
New York Tribune points out that "if
Germany had not defaulted collec.
tions, starting a lap behind would
not have worried US. But the Germans
cut off their remittances. The repara-
tions commission has suggested that
this country settle It's account in part
out of seized German property. Here