Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-13

Continued From First Page)
D'Ormesson thinks, to help Herr Bruen-
ing help Germany.
BY way of parenthssis, it may be
added here that since the D'Ormesson
plan was first launched, conditions in
Germany, and indeed in Central Eu-
rope IN general, have become much
worse.
The two countries which despite the
depression are in the best situation Of
any today and which, moreover, by the
nature of the reparationS and war debt
settlements are the keys to the situa-
ton, are France and the United States.
1t is. therefore, France and the United
States, NJ. D'Ormesson thinks, which
should take the initiative and show gen.
uine leadership in the present trying
circumstances.
Plan Skctched Briefly.
The other countries concerned, such
as Great Britain. Italy and Belgium,
would, he assumes Immediately tcin in.
Briefly set forth, the plan is as
follows
For period of two years from date.
France would agree to forego one-half
its reparations payments and the United
States would agree to forego .one-half
regarded ss temporary and would in
volve no change in existing texts.
The Young plan divides German pay
mentS into two parts, unconditional.
which correspond TO money available
after the payment OF war debts for the
repayment of actual war damages or
reparations, and conditional. which cor
respond to the money turned over by
the allies to the United States for war
debts.
France Is receiving this year for
actual damages some S80000,000 and a
similar amount next year. 1t would
give up half this amount for the direct
benefit Of Germany.
The United States, in giving up half
the war debt payments over the same
period. would also benefit Germany, for
this measure would automatically cut
half the conditional part of the Ger
man annuity. The total benefit to
Germany would be $2l5,0000 900 a year.
Would Sign Arms Agreement.
At the same time, France and Ger
many would sign a convention open
also to all other countries. whereby each
would agree first that under no circum-
stances would it exceed its present ar
mament level and second that both
would reduce their armament budgets by
one tWelfth. This reduction for Ger
many would represent another real saw
ing of more than S16,000,000 a year,
while the French reduction would COM
pensate the budget for the loss on
reparations.
This convention, it is suggested, might
prove to be the foundation for the sue
cess OF the disarmament conference, the
problems of which are now giving so
much worry to all governments.
Sucb are the D'OrmPSSOn DrODOSalS
From the psychological view, it is
widely felt that the Austro-German GUS
toms union surprise and the oStenta-
tious way in which the Germans seemed
to choose to talk of the reparations crises
with the British, who receive only %
per cent CT the payments, instead OF
with France, which, receiving So per
cent. is the principal creditor, have
made Franco-German conversations for
the moment exceptionally difficult.
Realize Action Is Necessary.
Yet it is widely recognized that some
thing must be done and done soon.
Much is hoped for from the forth
coming visits of MeSsrS. Mellon and
Stimson. Although the United States
has thus far shown no sign, desire or
readiness to take the leadership in deal
ing with the world crises, Europe still
seems to look across the Atlantic for
concrete proposals of some sort
The D'OrmeSson plan, it is felt, even
if 1t serves only to stimulate discussion
along the linss indicated, may event.
ually say its proponents, lead to Franco
American initiative of some sort in the
common interest of general peace, pros
perity and disarmament.
Copyright, 1917