Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-24


ing in accurate information. We
found, at last, that while it was
also the grave concern of others, It
did concern us intimately and
perilously. We took our part in the
war at length, in the defense of free
Institutions. We believe. while dc-
knoWledging that we were only one
of the contributing clemens. that
our participation was a decisive fac
tor. The result was demonstration
of the strength Of seIf-governinG peo-
pies, and a victory for free :nstitu-
tons Our action at this time WIS
distinctly a world service America
made its sacrifice Cor what it believ-
ed was the cause of righteousness.
Benefited America
The sacrifices made on these occa-
sIons, Which resulted in a benefit
to others, resulted likewise in a bene-
fit to ourselves. Even the evil eff.
fects which always arise from war
and its aftermath have only tenn
pered, not obiterateG, these results.
A flow of material resources set in
toward our country, which is still 60
ing on. The general standards of liv.
ing were raised. In the resulting
plenty many of the old hardships of
existence we're removed. Our country
came into a position where it had a
greatly increased opportunity for
world leadership. In moral power it
took a higher rank.
There can be little doubt that our
presence at the treaty table softened
the te~ms and diminished the eXac-
tons of the victorious nations, where
joint covenants of defensive alliance
were in part substituted for the
usual territorial transfers. Our coun-
try refused to adhere to the covenant
of the League of Nations with a de-
cisive rejection which | regard as
final. Following this came a cOntinu.
ing effort to collect reDarationS.
which the economic chaos of Ger
many after a time caused to be SuS.
pended. This resulted in the French
seizure Of the Ruhr, with allied con
ferenCes, plans and discussions for
renewing payment of PREPARATIONS un-
der some settled method of perma-
n9nt adjustment. Although indirect
ly interested by reason of our COM
merCe, and more especially because
OF the debts due to us, in having
Il European settlement, our govern
IN INT fell that the fundamental uueS-
tons involved in all these discussions
We're the direct political concern of
Europe, Our policy relative to the
debts due to us from European coun.
tries was we'll known, and we refused
to submit them to these discussions.
This never meant that America vas
not willing to lend its assistance TO
the solution of the European prob
lem in any way that did not involve
us in their purely political contro-
VersleS, whenever opportunity pre-
scented a plan that promised to be
just and effective. But we realized
that all effort was useless until all
parties came to state of MIND
where they saw the need to make
concessions and accept friendly
counsel.
In December of the year 1922 our
secretary of state, Mr.. Hughes, set
out the American proposal in an ad.
dress which he delivered at New
Haven That lroposal has now be-
come historic. He recognized that
settlement of the reparations ques-
tio1 was probably impossible if APP
preached alter the method OF a pOliti.
cal problem 1t was not so much a
question to be dealt with by public
officers or diplomatic agencies, which
mist neCesSG rily reflect to a very
married. degree the political state Of
mind of The various countries, but
was represented as one which could
be solved by the application of pure
business talent and exrerienced pri.
Vate enterprise. To such an effort Of
blSlte SS men, unhampered by every
unnecessary political consideration,
Mr.. Hughes expressed the belief that
competent Ane ricHn citizens in pri-
Vate life would be ready to lend their
assistance. This position was con-
slstently maintained Its correctness
was finally demOn&ti2t when Mr..
Dawes, Mr.. Young and Mr.. Robin
son were invited by the PREPARATIONS
commission for that purpose, and
consented to serve
Sounds Dawes Plan
The finding or the experts. whic n
Is known as the Dawes report. ha c
recently been made and published
1t shows a great deal Of research
and nVestieation. aud a broad com
prehension Of the requirements Of
the situation. it has been favorahlv
received by the reparations commits.
sion. 1t is gratifying to understand
that the Allies are looking upon il
with full sympathy. and Germany
has expressed a Willingness to co.
operate in the execution of the plan.
There appears to be every reason to
hope that the report offers a basis
Tor a practical solution of the repair.
atoms problem. | trust that it may
commend itself TO all the European
governments Interested as a met nod
by which, through mutual cOnceS-
SONS, they can arrive at a stable
adjustment Of the intricate and vex.
atiOus problem Of reparations, and
that such an outcome will provide
for the restoration Of Germany and
the largest possible payments to the
0tIer countries.
If this result is secured, the credit
which will be due to the secretary
Of state, Mr.. Hughes, to President
Harding for adopting it and spu-
porting it, and to the three Ameri-
cans and their assistants. by whose
wisdom and discretion it was fJ1-
mulat5d and rendered so acceptable
will b" sufficient to warrant the last
ing appreciation of two continents
A situation at once both intric,,ta
and difficult has been met in a
most masterful way. Our countrv-
men are justified in looking at the
result with great pride. Nothing Of
more Importance to Europe has oc-
CURED since the ATmistice.
Part of the plan contemplates that
q considerable loan should at once
he mace to Germany for immediate
pressing needs, including the financ-
ing of a bank. l trust that private
American capital will be willing to
participate in advancing this loan.
Sound business reasons exist why
We should participate in the financ.
ing of works OF peace in Europe,