Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-09

The proposal of Newton D. Baker
former Secretary Of War. that the
United States cancel all war debts I'M
nressed the American press generally
"a academic and not likely to have
any appreciable effect on public
oninion or the attitude Of the Govern
ment.
Mr.. Baker was merely writing his
own opinion in a financial monthly
saws the Lynchburg News tDemo
crsticl. He was criticizing the ad
ninistration's handling of the whole
debt question, calling the British set
tNement a magnificent disaster He
wasn't writing with any idea that &C
ton would result, and 1t will not. Debt
cancellation may come, but not now,
and If 1t does come 1t will come just
too late for the United States to gain
anv prestige in the world. Its action
then would be too patiently dictated by
self.interest, and II the policies ana
Diplomacy Of the last two admin1stra-
tions still prevailed, it would be done
IN such a way as to 1rritate rather
than to please other nations.
In similar vein the Louisville COu-
rier.Journal democratic, recognizes
Ii,
q nd the administration are right when
thew insist that public opinion would
not now countenance any proposal
for cancellation OF all war debts. 1t
seems useless to discuss the matter In
view of the facts" adds the Courier.
Journal. IF America had entered
the League Of Nations at the outset
and striven Observation-Disclosures with
the other governments of the world,
in an effort to solve international mil
jtary. economic and financial problems,
this country very probably would not
now be worried trying to regulate
debtors affairs as an outsider. The
time to save the business is before a
receiver is appointed"
Il
As to Mr.. Bakers position, the New
York Evening Post independently ex-
presses the opinion that Newton ID.
Bakers entrance into the war-debt
situation is about as tactless ana
harmful as that Of Georges Clemen-
ceau-possibly more so" while the 81
Paul Pioneer-Press dndependent re
publican) contends that Mr.. Bakers
outburst of idealism on this question
ia several years late. He was mem
Der of the Cabinet as late as March
of 1921" continues the Pioneer-Press,
and IL not on record that the Gov
eminent Of which he was member,
or he himself, although there was
ample time, favored the cancellation
of the allied debts. In fact, it was that
administration which laid down the
principle Of collection" The Spring
field Union Republican, directs atten-
ton to the contention that Mr.. Baker,
"espousing the/cause of cancellation.
becomes the champion Of policy that
not only is opposed by his own party
in CONGRESS, but that was repudiated
by President Wilson when 1t was hrst
proposed"
Democratic disagreement with the
stand taken by Mr.. Baker also is
emphas sized by the Toledo Blade tin
dependent Republican,. which points
out that former Gov. Cox of Ohio
advocates readjustment OF the debt
question with notifications of de-
mands on all countries" but "as a
good business man he does not go the
whole way with Mr.. Baker, probably
not being ready to agree that altruism
il a good business principle; and that
Senator Pat Harrison is quoted from
Paris as being in favor OF barring all
Americans from visiting France until
such time as debt agreement is
signed"
The Nashville Banner independent
remarks: Mr.. Baker may appeal and
~c1ennnnce0Rh- mar dor the Sauna