Evening star., 1928-06-17
PLANS TO SETTLE
WAR DEBT REVIVED
Agent General Gilbert Advo-
Gates Definite Fixing of
Germany's Payment.
BY GUSTAvE SToLPER.


BERLIN, June I6-For the second
time, and more energetically than on
the first occasions, Parker Gilbert,
agent general of reparations, has
written report advocating definite
fixing of the German separations debt.
THE experts themselves" Mr.. Oil
bert says, did not recommend the
plan as an end In itself, but rather as
a means to meet an urgent problem
and accomplish practical results. They
aimed primarily to provide for recov-
ering Germanys reparations debt TO
the allies and. more broadly, to pro-
vide for the reconstruction OF Ger
many. not merely as a means OF Sc
curing payment of reparations, but also
as a part of the larger problem OF re-
construction Of Europe"
Fundamental Problem.
"I believe that from both standpoints
the fundamental problem remains the
final determination Of Germany's repa-
rations liabilities and it will be to the
best interests OF the creditor powers
and Germany alike to reach a final
settlement by mutual agreement as
soon as circumstances make this pos
sible.' TO use the concluding words Of
the experts"
1t is dificult to say whether circunl-
stances since Mr.. dilbert's last report
have become more favorable. American
policies depend on the result of the COM
ing presidential elections: In France the
Poincare regime appears stabilized. but
France for the present refuses to aban-
don the idea OF connection between
German reparations and Frances debt
to America.
And this is not the only complication.
II Is known the revision of the Dawes
plan is TO be connected with the ques-
ton of the Rhineland occupation and
other political problems Europe Is be-
ing steadily divided into two camps
friends and opponents of revision of the
Versailles treaty. The difference no
longer is. as 1t was In the first years
following the war, one of victorS and
vanquished. The friends and the OPP
ponents of revision are former allies,
both OF whom have European followers
and endeavor TO make political capital
out OF their attitude toward the Ver-
sailles treaty.
Campaign Against Revision.
The campaign against revision OF the
treaty which naturally has been led by
France, has been furthered recently
With striking impetuosity by Polish For
eign Minister zalewski He recently
has delivered some sharp speeches, the
political background of which still Is
not clear, but which, above all, were
addressed TO Paris.
What especially makes a painful inn
preston In Berlin Is M. zalewski's re-
peated efforts to intervene In Franco
German discussions. Thus he declared
In Paris: We must not forget that the
strivings OF the international peace
movement frequently give occasion for
abuses on the part of certain forces
which work against peace. To hold re-
visionist ideas means To work for the
overthrow Of the existing order, ID
shake the whole edifice OF peace again.
The question OF security plays DOM
mating role for Poland as for France.
Hence all pledges that insure the COM
mon security Of the allies are so valu-
able, and hence their surrender without
suitable recompense cannot be a matter
of indifference for u.s.
Naturally II is intolerable for dis
armed Germany that she must. for the
evacuation OF the Rhineland. recon-
pense not merely France but also
Poland. especially since Poland is
armed 10 tne teetn. III is not yet known
how seriously M. zalewski's speeches
have been taken In Paris. That he re-
peats them so often appears rather to
indicate his fear that the French gov
ernment will not so easily make itself
the executive organ for Polish wishes
But perhaps the Polish offensive Is
directed chiefly against Italy Dictator
Mussolini In q recent speech before the
italian Senate spoke for sweeping re-
vision of the peace treaty, but did not
say just what he means by that. But
he strongly emphasized his friendliness
toward Germany and injustice done
especially TO Hungary. He thinks the
time for revision will come in 1895.
World Peace.
Mtssolini is no sentimentalist and no
fantastic advocate OF internationa!
Justice. His policies are deliberate
national egotism. This also compels
Germany 10 observe the greatest re-
serve toward his advances. But the
forces that step by step bring the day
nearer when the injuatices and mis-
takes OF Versailles must be revised grow
steadily stronger--fiot because OF love
and sympathy for Germany, but in
the interest OF peace ana the worlds
welfare.
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