Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-05-04

Consider for a moment the appal-
ling disaster which the war brought
to France. One-thirteenth OF her
country devastated, 741,SS3 build
ings destroyed. also 22,9O0 factories
destroyed; $500 miles OF railroads.
$500 miles OF highways. eight
systems OF canals badly damaged
S.116.3S3 acres of land rendered
practically useless.
In this land were 36,230.000
cubic yards of trenches to be filled.
barbed wire to be removed from an
area of 446.lOS,00O square yards.
and over one million OF ammunition
shells to be destroyed or removed.
The number OF refugees compelled
TO find shelter elsewhere amounted
to 4.69O.ls3. Stupendous figures
and true.
France Has Accomplished
Much Since Armistice.
But France was undaunted and
quickly the tremendous work of
reconstruction was started, with the
following results. covering the
period ending August 3lst. 1922:
Trenches filled 364.435.450 cubic
yards.
Barbed wire removed from an
area OF 34O.774.224 square yards.
Lying shells destroyed. 1,033,7S3.
Land readapted to cultivation. a.
3ss.9ss acres.
4Ss.72l buildings and 1923
factories rebuilt.
Roads, canals and railroads near
" all rebuilt.
now returned to the devastated re-
Gions. but unfortunately large
number of them are yet living in
dugouts. shanties and portable
houses. since the roads. canals. rail-
roads and factories had to be re-
constructed first.
France has shown courage. not
only In reconstruction. but she is
making tremendous efforts to pro-
duce and export goods to aid H.
speedy economic recovery. The re-
suit Is remarkable. The foreign
trade OF France in 1929 exceeded
IN tonnage that of 1913. according
TO these official figures:
iS22 Tons 1913 Tons
-ac
Exports ...22.sl5.6ss 20.0F.5i3
Struggle Now !. Fur
spssSiy Economic Recovery.
The old French tariff being
specific. I. O.. the rates being set per
head. pair. 1000 pieces or 100 kiios.
ETC.. Il had to be modified to con-
form with the tremendous advance
- the values brought about by the
var and after-war conditions. CO.
efficients. therefore. were resorted
progressively as conditions war
Santed. Other countries with tariffs
likewise. Unfortunately. this pro-
eedure seems to have been taken IA
. hint by such politicians ns ar.
called high protectionists. and their
agitation has found 40 much echo
In the United States among special
interests that even the American
tariff with ad vaiorem rates was
deemed inadequate to cope with
changed values.
This gave rise to movement
which. In spite Of the most violent
opposition. has resulted In . tariff
now considered by many ~ detri-
mental to America as II is TO foreign
iatcrests.
e. \. Tariff Rracting In
Iloaa Even To 1'sSsiurrrp.
To Judge from reports recently
published. rordncy tariff docs not
seem 10 have proved . success even
for those Il was supposed 70 give
unreserved protection and prosper
ity. The American Farm Bureau
Federation has figured out that the
new tariff costs the farmers e3oi..
100000 . year. Il flies At ti3s.-
eee.eeo the gain 10 the farmers -
producers. but estimates that the
asricultursi interests will he re-
esirsd 70 pay e%2s.ooo. 900 In in.
erased prices on other commodities.
TIE high duty on sugar alone means
ths farmers must help enrich susaf
prelucsss 70 the extent Of els.eoe.-