Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-13

eign competition, that to keep our
expenditures as low as possible.
These are the economic reasons why
the granting of bonus would jeop-
ardize the welfare Of the whole coun-
try. 1t was estimated that under the
bonus bill which was vetoed. If all
the beneficiaries had taken the GER
tificates which it was proposed to
issue, the plan would have cost $685.
100000 annually for the first four
years, and a total of S5.400.000. 900.
This would more than destroy all the
great labor which the country has
gone through for the purpose of re-
ducing it's debt. 1t would mean the
indefinite postponement of any tax
reduction. another increase in the
cost of living, more drying up Of the
sources of credit, and Il probable rails
ing of the rates of interest; all OF
which would result in imitation and
higher prices, with the grave danger
OF ultimate disaster to our financial
system. We have been through one
period of deflation. Nearly all the
men on the farm and many of the
men in business have not yet recov-
cred from it, and the country certain
~ does not want 10 take the risk of
another like experience. A few.
months of good times are worth more
to the service men themselves than
anything they could receive in the
way of bonus.
|. But this question goes deeper than
that. | am aware that some men
made money out of the war. Many of
them lost what they made, but not
all. No doubt there are some such
who are justly to be crtiZed for greed
and selfishness. Unfortunately they
would not pay the bonus. 1t woIld
/. have to be paid by the country. have
already undertaken TO demonstrate
that taxes are paid by the great
mass of the people. II IS necessary
TO consider whether there be any
moral justification for placing all the
people under this great burden, in or
der to pay some money to part
o. the people, many of whom
90 not want It and are Offering pro-
nounced objection to IT. y very large
body of service men do not want the
bonus. and object to being taxed in
order that 1t may I've paid. Their re-
quest is entitled to just as much
consideration as the request of those
who do want ii. They are Just as
g, eager now to save their country from
financial disaster as they were for
merly to save 1t from military dis
aster. They are entitled to be heard.
This question ought TO be decided in
accordance with the welfare of the
whole country.
No one doubts the patriotism of
, those who advocate the bonus. NO
enc denies that the country owes a
debt which il never can pay to those
10 hot Il
abilities must he recompensed. their
health restored, theid dependents
supported; all at public expense.
They are entitled to the highest hon
or. But the service they rendered
was of such nature that it can not
be recompensed to them by the pay
ment of money. America was not
waging war for the purpose of secur-
ing spoils. The American soldier did
not enter the service for the purpose
of securing personal gain.
! | have lately undertaken to de-
! fine the outline of the foreign policy
OF the present Government. Nothing
has occurred since my message to
| the Congress that requires any
! change in that policy. The prospect
) of a European settlement, however,
= has arisen, which holds some prom
{ iSt. llItt VI
! ing and well-scasoncd ability have
/ been called to give their expert as
sistance and advice. They do not
represent our Government. Their
, only official standing comes from
their being agents of the Reparation
P Commission. Yet they can not help
being Americans. and will bring to
I their problem not the point of view
! of the American Government but,
! what may be more effective, the
point of view of the American mind
: Without doubt any settlement would
call for European funding and fin
ancing, which would be of doubtful
, success without American participa-
ton. The export of such capital as
is not required for domestic business
and which the American people feel
can be protitably done, having in
view the financial returns. enlarge
nent Of our trade. and the discharge
of the mo.al obliga ton of bearing our
share of the burdens of the world
entirely in accordance with the
! choice of our own Independent judy
ment. ought TO be encouraged.
Our Government does not want
| war anywhere. 1t wants peace every
where. 1t does not look with sym
pathy upon the manufacture or sale
of arms and munitions by which one
country might make war upon an
! other country. 1t recognizes, however
! that every government must neceS-
/ sarily maintain some military estab-
( lishment for national defense and
the policing of it's own domain. For
such incidental purposes there could
be little criticism if our Government
or private interests. having the nec-
eSSary equipment, should furnish IL
But 1T is a traffic which
we wish to discourage. rather
than encourage. We do not be-
LEV in great armamepts. Espe-
cially are we opposed to anything
like competitive ornaments. While
the present time does not appear
propitious for q further effort a,
limitation, should a European set.
tlement be accomplished. something
might he hoped tor in that direction
p The United States stands ready &c
join with the ether great powers
whenever there appears to be rea.
sonable prospect of agreement, in /;
: further limitation of competitive
/ ornaments.
situation has recently arisen ir
! Mexico which has caused some so.
licitudc. We recognize that the PEG.
pie Of that country have a perfect
right 10 set up end pull down gov
ernments without any interference
from us. so long as there is no in.
reference with the lawful rights OF
our government or orr citizens with.
in their territory. We do not har-
Dor the slightest desire to dictate tc
them in the smallest degree. We
have every wish to he friendly and
helpful. Aftep long period OF
shifting and what appeared to US
to be unsubstantial governments ir
that country. we recently reached
I LG aniriata III. IIs.c.s.i l1...& Ai.