The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1923-01-25
What France is Doing
philadelphia North American)

The one positive statement that car
safely be made concerning the repara
tions issue is that after three year.
and a half of incessant explanation
argument and Interpretation. there is
more confusion of thought about il
today than at any other time since the
peace treaty was signed The prodi-
gious publicity given to the subject
has only intensified misunderstand-
ings, and each development seems to
harden preconceived errors.
Unhappily, malicious propaganda
and prejudiced assertion have obscur-
ed not only the principles but also
the facts of the case. Astonishing
misstatements are made for example,
regarding the present procedure OF
France Her plan to take temporary
possession of Germany's industrial re-
gion in the Ruhr valley is denounced
by some newspapers as an act of war.
She is represented as destroying the
peace of Europe by conducting a law
less invasion her action is called
dangerously provocative, an adventure
of Imperialism against an innocent
people, and it is urged that the Brit
ish and American forces of occupation
be withdrawn Immediately as a pro-
test against the aggression.
Now concerning the wisdom and
efficacy of the French policy there is
room for two opinions. Secretary
Hughes in a recent speech expressed
the judgment of many Americans and
Europeans when he suggested that
seizure of the Ruhr district instead
OF producing reparations would
threaten disaster" 1t was upon this
question of expediency that the con-
ference of allied premiers finally dis
agreed a week ago today. THE
French proposals if carried into eff
feet" said Mr. Bonal Law would not
only fail in obtaining the desired re-
suits. but are likely to have grave
and even disastrous effect upon the
situation of Europe" But only mall |
ce or profound ignorance will con-
ha Sc f1
IN the contrary. in strict accord with |
he law, which is the treaty of Yer
ailles as signed by the allies and
Germany and revised from time to
ime at Frances expense.
Another false assertion is that
france has obdurately refused to
moderate her reparations demands on
and is sending an army to
orce collection of a bill repudiated by
he rest of the world as beyond Ger
iany's capacity to pay. The truth is
hat at last weeks conference the al
es agreed on the sum to be exacted.
he figure adopted was so billion gold ]
larks, approximately $125OO, 900, OOO I
his is less than two-fifths of the sum s
ermany agreed under the treaty to '
ny. 1t is s2,5OOOOO,OOO less than the (
'tal estimated as collectible by the a
merican experts at the peace confer t
ice four years ago. It is the amount 6
hich Germany herself has declared {
or willingness to pay.
The premiers divided not on the t
re of the bill, but on the terms of il
lyment and the security to be TAX t,
France assented to reduction of p
e amount and to a moratorium for 7
armany, provided the allies took a
ntrol of the Ruhr valley so that they
ould hold a guarantee for Germany's II,
lfillment of the obligation. Premier h
'incare said bluntly that the uues- r,
IN resolved itself to this Was there q,
be a moratorium with pledges or -
thout? France held that to accept G
new German promise in place of lin
ose defaulted, and at the same time h,
andon the guarantees which the w
ATTY gave the right to exact, would m
to invite reputation by Germany. fe
eat Britain insisted, however, that n
ere be a moratorium without secur- iof
And on that issue the premiers oh
rted company, Belgium and Italy wi
nding with France against Great 10,
tain. ~
The treaty of Versailles provided as ma
matter of course for the action of
ich France supported actively by III
gium and tacitly by Italy. has been or,
)elled to take. It declared: tio
The measures which the allied and Fri
ociated powers shall have the right on
take, in case of voluntary default .
Germany and which Germany wv.
ees not to regard as acts of war, NV
y include economic and financial tb.
hibitions and reprisals and, in he.
eral, such other measures as the no.
'ective governments may deter chs
e to be necessary in the circum- enl
ices" -
ermany has practiced voluntary wa
lult''; this is the unanimous find ..