Evening star., 1925-02-14

William Jennings Bryan's plea to
exchange worthless debts for price,
less peace" Is regarded by some edi-
tors as a piece of altruism not to be
considered seriously. Others deplore
it's moral effect upon the nations In
volved and express doubt that they
would disarm should their debts be
cancelled.
IN chasing the shadows Of phrase
making Mr.. Bryan forsakes the sub
stance of fundamental moral prin-
ciples" says the Los Angeles Times.
He is permitting his altruism to
carry him so far he will have to walk
back. He should read the admonition
Of Herbert Spencer, Pure altruisni
leads to inevitable suicide. Or. as a
constant reader Of the Bible. he might
turn to Matthew, xvii.26, and mediate
on the words. Lord, have patience
with me and i will pay Thee ALL in
relation to the act of France which
calls for cancellation of United States
de BITS and stands ready to collect from
Germany to the last :farthing at the
point Of the bayonet." .:,r...- .
Mr.. Bryan's ideals are always bet
ter than his logic" says the Ceshoc-
ton Tribune, which sees an incon-
sisteney in Mr.. BFyan's idea of set
ting. disarmament as a price of debt
cancellation and admitting at the
same time that debtors have no in
tentien. Of paying anyway. The Tri-
bune continues: in other: words. he
would. have us make q virtue Of ne
cessity and surrender our plans to
what, we can never get, no matter
how. our. claims are pressed" 1T Is
ridiculous to say that the European
debts Will never be paid" says the
Dubuque Times-Journal. Great Brf-
tain is taking care Of the debt. Po-
land is ready to make q million
dollar payment to the United States.
France is discussing the debt prob
lem and will probably soon come to
some sort of a definite understanding g
about it's debt with the United states
Government. Were the debtor nations
to settle their obligations to the
United States on the terms set down
by William Jennings Bryan they
would be forever disgraced. The set
tlement would be q blot on their his
tories" The Bellingham Herald adds:
"It is time for the French politicians
to tell their people what everybody
else .knows--that only by honorins
their. debts can they maintain n q place
in the good opinion Of the world, and,
what may be equally important to
them, preserve their credit abroad"
4 a i
Opposing Mr.. Bryan's assumption that
forcing payment will brand the United
States a Shy1ock and cause: her to lose
the friendship Of. the nations involved,
the Salt Lake City D<seret News says:
.The. United States has mo Intention of
being a harsh creditor. The debt dues-
tion will finally have to be settled In the
broadest spirit. Of compromise and gen.
erosity. 1t must not be permitted to be-
come a political and economic danger,
for it is not now and never has been q
purely financial issue. It is safe to say
that the United States will never send
battleship to Europe or brand her
debtor as a bankrupt in an effort to COL
lect these debts" The Detroit Free
Press holds, las far as his theory that
by knuckling under to debt repudiators
this country would gain friends Is con-
cernsd. Mr.. Bryan: by enunciating II
mAroiy proves once more that he haA
never learned to coordinate his knowi-