Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-14
81 cRIrlcislNe AND DOING

hon may expect from Senator and
Candidate Hiram johnson is pretty
dearly shown. When Frahee, Eng
and, Italy and even Germany ex-
Dressed a desire to our Government
10 have American experts on the
boards, one to investigate methods
Tor stabihzing Germany's currency
Ind one for seeking German gold
that has been siphoned out of the
country, although the plan was not
ls comprehensive as that which
Secretary Hughes thought desirable,
nevertheless affording hope of re-
def; President Coolidge expressed a
willingness to have this done. These
experts are not selected by our Gov
eminent which is not bound by their
findings. Our Government is not in
4 position to designate the methods
that shall be employed, is not inter-
tering in the matter of reparations,
out Senator Hiram Immediately
proceeds to criticise it and to de-
mand that the investigation shall be
public, no more secret diplomacy and
Ill that.
This hardly may he considered a
helpful or a fair attitude on his part,
and we think will impress the coun-
try as unjust. Surely he can find no
fault with our attitude of hands off
rs a government. The selecting of
Americans by those foreign countries
to sit In their conferences is not
done for the purpose of secret
diplomacy but as means of imparting
confidence in the deliberations. Ger
many owes us on account and for
our army of occupation around three
quarters of a billion dollars. We are
interested at least that much in
Germany's welfare. This may not
mean much to the senator but some
others will take it into consideration
and it is probable the people would
criticise an administration which
failed to do so.
The poison virus in this world will
be strkingly in evidence until there
shall be some solution of the prob
lens occasioned by the war and its
aftermath. The spirit being mani
tested by the parties to the con-
troversy at last indicates an honest
desire for settlement. Our refusal
to, give this such recognition as 1t
deserves, and as we may without be-
coming implicated. would have been
discreditable. OF course those for
eign countries want American capital
to be assured respecting any result
which may come of the effort be-
cause loans of American money will
be absolutely necessary, we assume,
to any successful solution. This
need not mean that our capitalists
are to give that money; certainly
our government is not to loan 1t.
though a solution Of reparations
might afford us the only practical
chance to collect any considerable
part of our war loans to France and
Italy.
Indeed Senator Hirams clamor
borders on the absurd. France hav-
ing assured herself Of the success
of her grip on the Ruhr naturally
wants the reparation tangle I'M
snarled. She is too close a neighbor
Of Germany to wish that land to
become "a pest hole. England needs
the best settlement that can be eff
fected and so do the people of Ger
many. Shall we help or hinder
them? We5 too. are interested. and
properly so. While it isn't clear how
a settlement fair to the German peo-
pie and to those she owes may be
had while the industrial bandits
have possession of Germanys sinews
of peace, it is evident the parties to
the reparation snarl have reached
the point where they earnestly wish
to arrive at terms. 1t is eminently
desirable that the American people
who are best situated to>be of help.
should have facilities for knowing
about the actual conditions. Unless
representatives are selected who
have the confidence of the American
public the effort will prove a vain
gesture. 1t is essential to the selfish
as we'll as to the other interests of
all parties concerned that this shall
be. They will be selected by the
Preparations commission. they will
not be footballs of the coming
political struggle in this country
Their findings so will not be warped
by political considerations and we do
npt think Senator Hiram will get
very far in trying to convince peo-
pie that this arrangement is wrong