Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-24


ment for the payment of unconditional
reparations under the Young plan.
He said that he had often thought
that If reparations had been confined
to direct damages to France and Bel
GUM they could have been well justified.
The demand for other reparations, he
said. had caused the difficulty.
Borah: "As I say. feel that the
question of direct damages ought to
II 1t is practicable yet, in view OF the
situation, to work out an equitable set
tlement of 1t on that basis would still
be in favor of it."
Reporter: Mr.. Senator, that pleases
me very. much"
Borah: II do not want to offend any
body"
Reporter: What is your attitude to-
ward an extension of the Hoover
moratorium"
Bbrah: II think the time has passed
for moratoriums. We have reached the
time when, if we ere going to relieve
the economic situation, we shall have
to cut, instead of push the debts back
for a year or two and destroy the credit
of every nation against whom they
stand. If we just simply push these
debts back, and they are accommodating
interest and all, the credit of the ma
ton Is disappearing day by day, and
the confidence of other. people in the
nation, and cannot see anything to
be gained by a moratorium"
World Prosperity Linked.
Reporter: How do you think America
will get out or escape from her own
economic crisiS?"
Borah: IF knew that, would"
Qaughter).
Reporter: "You would be a great
man."
Borah: IF that question meant to
bring out the thought as to whether
the United States can escape from her
present economic condition without
taking Europe into consideration, do
not think she can. I think We are
economically affected by the situation
in Europe and will continue to be, and
1 think we shall have to be interested
in it,"
Reporter: "Is there not direct inter
dependence between these political
problems and economic problems?"
Borah: mo. I certainly see a dis
tinct difference between the economic
relations of nations and their political
relationships. From George Washing
tons farewell address down that has
been the teaching to the American
people"
Reporter: 1.-THE French believe that
the state of unrest which is maintained
by the constant agitation for the re-
vision of treaties has great deal to
do with the lack of confidence. eco
nomically. and makes 1t impossible to
exchange in a normal way"
Borah: My opinion is that If all
the public men and all newspapers
would cease to talk about changing the
Versailles treaty 1t would not change
the feeling in the hearts Of the people
who are affected by it one particle.
It is there. just as when Germany took
Alsace-Lorraine. You could cease dis
cussing it, but France felt that she had
been wounded and she never got over
it-and justly So"
Doubts New Hatreds.
Senator Borah was asked if modif-
cation of the Versailles treaty were
made some of the changes would also
bring about hates.
Borah: oh no. I should not think
so at ALL For instance, If Alsace-
Lorraine had been restored to your peo-
pie it would have changed the situation
in all Europe"
Senator Borah said he did not think
anybody contends that the Versailles
treaty, If it was drawn today, would be
Senator Borah was asked If 1t would
satisfy the inhabitants of Hungary II
that country were united again and
whether the Czechs would want to be
under Hungarian rule.
Senator Borah said he thought that
might not be proper, that a condition
existed there which needed consider
alton.
Senator Borah was asked If he would
substitute moral law as medium of
stability in Europe in place of the
Versailles treaty, and which is preserv-
ing peace "of a sort If you like"
Senator Borah admitted that the
Versailles treaty was preserving peace.
Would Not Remove Treaty.
II would not remove the Versailles
treaty." said Senator Borah. Il would
make modification under the Versailles
treaty. For instance If I had my way
about it I would cut out reparations.
Then I would change the Polish cor
ridor If 1t was possible to do so and
would change the situation with refer
ence to Upper Silesia, If could"
In spite of the plebiscite?"
The plebiscite, replied Senator
Borah, "in my judgment was the other
way"
The suggestion was made to Senator
Borah that il a conference of nations
were called to take into consideration
all these notifications there would be
terrible unrest all over Europe.
Senator Borah said that in his opin-
ion only those nations directly inter-
ested in each change should be called
together.
do you think the force Of Russia,
that is commercially as we'll as military.
should or should not influence disarm-
ament in Europe? Do you think Russia
is aggreSsive?"
Urges Recognition of Russia.
II have been In favor Of recognizing
Russia and think that until We take
that step the solving of the European
question will be greatly retarded. In
other words, we cannot go to France
and CzechoSlovakia and JugoSlavia and
Rumania and say. We think you have
We think you should disarm, when
Russia Is right beside them with 600.-
600 well disciplined men and we, 5000
miles away, are so afraid Of her that
We are unwilling to recognize her. I
think the first step on that proposition
belongs to the United States"
1t was suggested to Senator Borah
that if he favored the canceling of
reparations and war debts 1t might be
necessary for the United States to take
the first step.
IT would not want one step ahead of
the other there" said Senator Borah
amid laughter. II would want both of
them to be an achieved fact at the
same time because I would be afraid
something might happen to the propo-