The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-03-31
ROBINSON ASKS
that Debt PLAN
Be RECOMM|TTED
Democrat Derides the
Terms of Settlement
tspeeIaI 70 The DaIIy W0rkerl


WASHINGTON, March 2s.---Deelar-
ing America has Sacrificed her repu-
tation for generosity" in her settle
ment Of world war debts without
gaining an additional cent In payment,
Senator Robinson, democrat, Of Ar
kansas, opened the Iong-heralded at
tack on the italian debt settlement to-
day in the senate. He asked its recon-
mitment to a committee, which u
done, would amount to defeat of the
settlement for this session at least.
The method Of basing settlements
upon the debtor nations capacity to
pay" Robinson charged, is "imprac-
ticable" and impossible Of applica-
ton
Compares Treatment Of Germany.
sDeriding the terms given Italy,
Robinson declared it was amazing
that defeated Germany's capacity to
pay" reparations was estimated at
1925 100000 a year while a victorious
Italy, it is claimed, can pay the United
States only $5,000,O00 annually for the
first five years Of the debt settlement.
Robinson warned that Italy will
default in her payments as soon
as Germany defaults in Preparations.
He said it was ''bad policy" to make
private loans to European nations,
when, as Senator Smoot, republican,
of Utah, predicted, they can never
be collected, except at the cost of
transferring the money center of the
world from the United States to some
foreign country"
when Germany breaks down, as
she probably WILL" Robinson said,
"and fails to pay the enormous re-
parations exacted of her; when Ger
many defaults to Italy, Italy will de-
fault to the United States. So we will
have accomplished little Of value by
this settlement insofar as recovering
the amount due from Italy is con-
cerned."
Reparatlons to Be Readjusted.
Robinson predicted readjustment of
German reparations within a few
years. who does not know that the
same yardstick will in the end be ap-
piled both to Italy and Germany in de-
Etermining their ability to pay?" Robin
son demanded. who does not know
that radically different yardsticks are
now in use and that Italy could as
easily pay $40, 100000 per year as
Germany can pay 100000, OO0?"
Fear Break by Mussollni.
at is idle to talk about economic
sterilization when political revolution
is threatened" Robinson said. 1--WE
read in the press of alliances, secret
and open; that the dictator of Italy is
forming combinations which threaten
the peace of Europe; and we arc told
that all this is none of our business"
As result Of the Administrations
attitude, he declared, the United States
will attend the league disarmament
conference with our delegates crit
icized as the Representatives of ian
avaricious and greedy power. It is
not clear that the immediate ratifca-
ton of this settlement will promote
either political or economic stability
in Europe" Robinson added. ut would
seem the wise course to inquire into
this subject"
Clash on Faseists.
Dnhfnuo,,bg anaaoI v,~OxvolroI oLo~..
debate over Mussolini, Italy's fascists
and their military ambitions.
Il understand fascism is the Italian
ku klux klan," observed Senator Reed,
democrat, of Missouri.
The debate swirled around a state
ment attributed to Mussolini that he
would shortly have something to ZAP
pease the restlessness" Of his fol-
lowers.
Il presume he meant that he would
use his followers and they would use
their arms" Senator Borah, repub-
lican, of Idaho, interposed.
Why Not Pay in FuII7
Opposing ratification of the $2,O42,.
100000 Italian debt settlement, Sena-
tor Reed, democrat Of Missouri. this
afternoon offered a resolution in the
senate calling for an investigation by
the foreign relations committee Of the
ability of Americas eleven war debt
ors to pa ytheir obligations in full.
The resolution alos would provide
for an inquiry into loans to foreign
governpents by American bankers,
and the circumstances surrounding
such loans. Immediate action on the
resolution was blocked by Senator
Smoot, republican of Utah, member of
the American debt commission.