San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-11
AN INTERVENTION PROPOSAL

Fred w. Upham. treasurer OF the &c
publican national committee, announced
recently that he would recommend, TO
President Coolidge the appointment Of
commission of American business mel
"to determine as soon as possible what
Preparations Germany is able to pay
Authority for such step would, OF
course, have to come from Congress.
The idea presented by Mr.. Upham is
not, except as to details, a new conc.
MANY Americans have long iclt that OF
all the nations on earth the Iritcd
States is the only one thar is competent
to make an equitable settlement OF the
Preparations question. With the possible
exception of those who have believed
that this country should Join the League
of Nations and perhaps recent develop
ments in Europe have chilled the ardor
of that bclei-Amcrican business men
would like to sec such :. settlement CT
fected. This does not. however. neces-
sarily mean that they would advocate
the step which Mr.. Upham proposes.
For the Republican committees treas
urer would have the United States I'M
dertake the project regardless OF the
attitude OF France toward it--cvcn in
the face of French opposition. ii rc:cs-
sary. Under his plan the decision Of
the American commission would lie put
setarely UP to France. with this ulti-
matum: This is the amount that Ger
many can pay; YOU must either accept
II or else pay your debt TO the United
States without further delay
SO far as economic Justice is con-
ccrned. that end might be served by
the Upham plan-if France would &C
ccpt either alternative. But although
the odds would be greatly against her
acceptance Of either alternative. this is
not the only circumstance by which to
test the advisability OF intervening in
the separations situation
Such Intervention might stultify the
United States. For this country has
been consistent thus far i'll its refusal
to become entarglcd in the affairs of
Europe, and ENHANCEMENT therein would
certainly result from Americas fixing,
cn her own motion. Of the limit OF rep
arations collections which rrarcc must
not try to exceed. 'rhat result would
be produced even if tic decision oi the
American commission a. to the extent OF
GeI'aany's reparations capacity were not
coupled with a threat designed To force
France to accept that 5odys findings.
The United States government has
made known to the world its willingness
10 give the Europeans the benefit OF its
unbiased judgment on the rcparations
question. The sole condition required
for the doing of such a service has been
that the ally nations must invite this
country to appraise Germany's resources
No invitation of that nature has been
forthcoming from France, although
Great Britain has frequently expressed
her desire for an impartial inquiry.
If there was any question of repara.
lions as between Germany and the United
States, this country could with perfect
consistency make an appraisement or
her own account. But the dispute i:
not between Germany and the United
States; it is between Germany anC
France, and the United States could no.
dictate to France, in this or any othel
distinctly European matter without pur
suing a course which our government
has Enthusiastically declared it would scru.