The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-06
THE GERMANS VOTE RIGHT

THE GERMANS VOTE RIGHT
The vote in Germany Sunday in the gem
eral elections Is interpreted favorably to the
acceptance Of the Dawes plan of economic
recovery. 1t is thought that a sufficient
number of members favorable to the plan
have been inundated to the reichstsg to in
sure a majority for the immediate resump-
by the special allied committee. The vote,
therefore, is particularly significant, for it
shows that the voters of Germany have
taken sane view of the situation mas
much as, in Germany, thoee who enjoy the
franchise are mainly property owners and
taxpayers, the vote means that those who
will have to pay, the reparations are willing
to do it, as a measure of economic good
sense. t2'' ~
There is no doubt that the Dawes plan
more thoroughly they understand 1t. At q
stroke, while making payment obligatory, il
also restores to the Germans the means
whereby they may obtain the wherewithal
to meet their obligations. Undoubtedly the
Germans now perceive that the policy of
passive resistance and refusal to adhere to
the terms of payment was more costly many
times over than the opposite course would
have been. The payment of PREPARATIONS in
the first place would have taken toll only of
part of the German wealth and income. The
occupation, followed by the cessation of in
dustry, caused the forfeiture BY the Ger
mans, in consequent losses, of ten marks
for every one that would have been de-
manded by the powers. Never did a stub
born people pay more heavily for their stub
bornness.
1t is perhaps unfair, however, to lay the
entire responsibility upon the German voters.
There is no doubt that the reichstag and the
ministry adopted the disastrous policy, that
has for many months prevailed, without
properly consulting either German. public
sentiment or the best interests of the Ger
man people. There was still the ghost of
the old imperialistic attitude 70 distort judg-
ment and to foster intolerance. Even the
elections were not in their nature demo
cratic and open; but rather fearful and fur
tive. 1t is said that men feared to- de-
clare their sympathies openly, lest it cost
them their position or their jobs. Only in
the secrecy Of the ballot booth did they dare
to record their anonymous preferences. The
shadow of the despot still hangs over them,
and they have not yet entered into the king
dom of their independence. Caste and class
and rank still maintain their boundaries,
and the marks of rigorous discipline still
scar the minds of the people. Perhaps the
unrest and poverty and idleness in Germany
have done much to retard the development
Of true democracy. Once the economic re-
covery is under way, the likelihood is that
other things will fall into their true per-
spectiye. e,-. E -
The world now awaits the final and Off
cial composition of the formalities in .ac.a
cordance with which the new program shall
be inausurated and carried through. The
world has waited long and patiently for the
commonsense solution of situation that
never would have arisen had the settlement.
been left to business men instead Of to-
politicians. The record of the .pest.war ne-
gotiations among the powers is a shameful
one. It cannot be excused by pointing to
the undenable ,culpabilityA of Germany. Had
the allied governments kept their compact and
adhered resolutely to the terms of the treaty
had Germany not been encouraged by the evis
dent strains among the, associated powers
had there been from the beginning an al
lied agreement to solve economic problems
according TO economic rules, then it is prob
able that the now belated recovery, would
have manifested itself within the first six
months after the Armistice.
The United States has abundant warrant
for such good offices as she may be able to
contribute to the recovery; for the United
States, now an exporting nation, finds her
commerce definitely affected and limited by
the limitations on the European inability to
buy Aside from the humanitarian, desire to
see peace where there have been rancor, idle
ness and distress, there is a very practical
reason for worldwide cooperation in the
task of Europe's economic regeneration. Our
government may not be alive to that truth,
but our commercial, industrial and financial
leaders perceive it with the utmost clarity.
Their motives may not be humanitarian, but
the results Of their, activities will be hui
manitsrian above. all ,Other considerations.
Our diplomacy can take no JUNCTION to itself
| from that condition of affairs.
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