Evening star., 1927-11-19

Unusual unanimity of opinion among
Americans followed the sharp note of
criticism Of German finances by S.
Parker Gilbert, agent general Of repa-
rations. The American officials warn
ing against policies which may en-
the reparations plan is echoed by
editors keen to it's Importance as a
stabilizer of European peace.
Quoting the reply of Herr koehler,
the finance minister, that the repara-
tions surplus is in sight at present
and that he believes it will continue
to be-" the New York Herald-Tribune
remarks: "rhis might be taken as
merely a justifiable difference of opin'
ion We're it not for the political back
ground in Germany, which consti-
tutes a powerful urge toward exactly
the kind of extravaganza which Mr..
Gilbert fears. The 'impossibilities'
are still strong in their hope of demon.
strating that the Dawes plan will not
work. while German politicians, no
less than those of other countries.
labor under the popular pressure for
expansion and spending The note,
in fact, contains some hints that it
was intended less to attack the lead
ers of German financial policy than
to support them against the political
demands of their publics. 1t
remains a dignified reminder to the
German people that they are under
contract which they will not be
permitted to endanger by mismanage-
ment of their AFFAIRS
IF the Government could plead in
ability to meet it's supporters wishes" ."
according to the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin, ''it might be politically COW
cred. Mr.. Gilbert's role in
any case is beyond criticism. He had
pointed out evils in German govern
ment financing in his official reports.
Duty and consistency required that
he should give a plain answer ~ Of
fetal German inquiries. Even il it
were apparent that the German gov
ernment planned to use his letter to
cover itself, there was no reason why
he should refrain from honest coun.
sell"
Recognition of the fact that "some
politicians in Germany desire to bring
about the collapse of the Dawes plan
next year, when the maximum annual
payments will have to be met for the
first time," is. given by the Chicago
Daily News, which adds: But the lnl-
partial view of sincere statesmen Is
that no such collapse is inevitable, and
that to precipitate it by padding pay
rolls, paying unnecessary subsidies
and making other available eXpendi
tlUes would be most unfortunate. Mr..
Gilbert. sincere friend of the Reich,
is trying to help its statesmen and its
intelligent industrialists to avoid dis.
aster."
1.-The warning at least will call
Finance Minister KOehler's attention
to the responsibilities resting upon
Germany in this matter and the seri-
Gus consequences which would be like
ly to result from a default in the exc.
cution of the Dawes plan" says the
Salt Lake Deseret News, and the New
York Evening Post holds that the at
tention of Germany has been directed
Ito certain facts which had been over
looked and especially that the note,
with Its repercussions in other coun.
tries" has brought home realization
that foreign credit is to a certain ex-
tent dependent upon good faith III
carrying out the Dawes plan. If Ger
many becomes more conservative in
it's program of expenditures, the note
will have accomplished it's purpose and
will in the end react to Germany's
financial credit"
ut is both coura geous and consid.
crate" states the Louisville Courier
Journal Of the document. with the
added comment: They may protest
that the sovereignty of the nation
has been invaded, but the nations
sovereignty was invaded when the
scheme for collecting reparations was
launched" The Providence Journal
concludes that there certainly can
be no dispute over the fact that Mr.
Gilbert is discharging his duty both
to the creditor allies and debtor Ger
many with meticulous care" and the
Kalamazoo Gazette declares that "the
insinuation that Mr.. Gilbert has been
;msddling' IN the private domestic