Evening star., 1925-05-03

1t is now six years since the war
closed. No proposal to pay or adjust
either the principal or the interest
has been submitted by the defaulting
debtor. At one time a representative
of the French government was dis
patched to Washington with author
ity, SO 1t was stated, to discuss terms
of settlement. Insofar as he spoke al
all or definitely, the mission seemed
to be to advise our Government that
France desired to have discussion of
the matter postponed indefinitely.
Those who had the pleasure of meet
ing NJ. Parmentier all seemed to have
received the same impression-cancel-
lation. Later. very much later, 1t was
announced. apparently with authority,
that the retiring Ambassador would
take up the question OF adjustment of
the debts shortly, and il was thought
all would be satisfactorily concluded
But no proposal of adjustment upon
the basis of payment was forthCom-
ing. On the other hand. in France
we are advised by those high in Off
cial life and prominent in business
that France feels she ought not TO
pay and that she anticipates volun
tary cancellation upon the part Of the
United States.
Cannot Recover Debts
Locheur. the richest individual in
France and a leader in governmental
affairs, has said publicly: 1T is an
Illusion TO think that the war credits
can be recovered. The Americans
especially the American people, are
hardest to convince, but they must
know that their war debts cannot be
recovered. No system permitting the
payment of the interallied debt can be
created" In slightly different phrase.
but with no different meaning. that
has been the public statements of
President Poincare. Martin and others.
Many will recall the circumstances
under which this loan was made-the
visiting commission, the assurances.
the honor pledges. the haste demand
ed. II any one had dared to say that
the time would come, and within
very few years. when the leading men
of France would be using the above
language and in effect repudiating the
pledges made in that hour he would
have been denounced. execrated. and
If such declaration had been made
after the espionage act had passed
he would have been sent to prison.
There can be no mistaking the mean
ing Of this language of these leading
men of France. 1t is reputation. II
is disavowing the contract. 1t strikes
at the very foundation of international
integrity. It makes all talk about
peace understanding and court stat
utes utterly vain and illusory. Wheth-
er you agree to arbitrate, to adtudl-
cate or to furnish an army or navy.
to punish those who refuse to ad-
judicate. there is nothing back of IL
after all but the plighted word of the
nations. There is no more honor be
a n .
to adjudicate than there is to pay
debt
Foundations OF Peace.
The more one reflects upon present
conditions and tendencies. both with
in nations and between nations, the
more one must conclude that there is
nothing more vital to civilization and
to the cause of law and order, domes-
tically and internationally, than obedi-
ence 10 law and respect for interna-
tional obligations-the enforcement Of
law and the fulfillment OF treaties.
Domestic tranquility and information
al peace can have no foundation other
than respect for law and the sanctity
Of obligations and treaties. II the
most solemn and binding obligations
are to be disregarded, and especially
upon matters OF mere material inter
ests, there is no alternative in interna-
tional affairs but force. There will
either be Il reign of law or a reign of
violence. OF course. these reflections
are not for France alone. l am
speaking generally-disregard of treat
les is just as prevalent as disregard
Of law.
While France debates the question
of meeting her debt obligation the
United States debates whether she
will live up to her treaty and her CEN
tury of earnest teachings relative to
the confiscation of the property of
foreigners. Both attitudes are as
founding "a doctrine of shame and
violence-repudiation and confiScation,
the creed of Communists. Either ma
tion could we'll afford to make amy
financial sacrifice necessSg >ather
than to permit this retrogression, of
century to become a part of it{f3if his
tory. Even the imputation ought not
to be permitted to have a basis.
The soldiers of France and the sol
diers of the United States suffered no
dishonor to come to their respective
countries in the most stupendous con-
fiict OF all times. If the patriots and
leaders OF peace are worthy OF the
men who made the sacrifices in war
they will shield their nations and
their government from the shame and
the dishonor of further maneuverinE
to escape the pnnistakable oblilations
of contracts and treaties-contracts
and treaties peculiarly involving ma