Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-10-15
MAKING PROGRESS

More real progress mas Dccn HiduC ~
ing the past three months in liquidating the
impossible obligations created during the
World war than had previously been made In
the twelve and one-half years Immediately
following the conclusion of that conflict. We
fully expect still further and even more en-
couraging progress to be made before the
end of the year. 1t is very apparent hat we
have about reached the close of a ten-year
period of make-believe. Marks of fictitious
values are being destroyed and all of the
leading countries of the world are getting
down to a business basis. lnsolvencies are
being acknowledged and measures to salv-
age as much as possible out of wrecked gov
ernmental institutions are being taken. Bluff
and buster are giving away to honest deal
ings. Naughty nationalism is exhibiting a
disposition to forget all animosities, r~ivalries
and fears long enough to join mutual inter
ests in an effort to prevent other world de-
bacle. President Hoover, at the earnest sol
%icitation Of Great Britain, started the process
sion toward sanity by calling for a morator-
ium in the payment of war reparations, in
IDENTITIES and debts. The discussion of that
entire subject which was precipitated by this
move started to show up so clearly that even
the dullest person might see and comprehend
the absurdity Of trying to collect billions
from a bankrupt people. Britain next decid-
ed to perform a long-delayed and bitter task,
the balancing of a budget by new taxes and
biting economies. The government of our
own country began to muster up the cour-
age to face an inevitable necessity, the can
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Now, ever France, which has been the great
est obstruction to the process of orderly liq-
uidation, is showing signs of coming down to
solid earth. While other countries have been
in the throes of acute economic distress,
France has been pictured as being perfectly
prosperous and happy. Within recent weeks
the universal malady of unemployment and
industrial uneasiness has made it's appear
ance in France. Business is slowing down,
banks are threatened and people are losing
jobs in increasing numbers. That country
is now discovering what we discovered two
years ago, that domestic prosperity cannot
be maintained in the face of utter democrat
ization elsewhere throughout the world. This
realization of world solidarity is rapidly
breaking down the high barriers of prejudice
and hatred which were built up during the
war. France and Germany are drawing near
er and nearer together. The rapprochemont
is dictated by conditions which cannot be-
com much worse without becoming exceed
lngly dangerous. Premier Laval is soon to
leave Paris for Washington. His visit is a
OF tremendous significance, since it may
mark a better understanding between two
governments which have been drifting fur
Their apart each year. The Frenchman will
come a-b%argaining, and Uncle Sam has a few
mail articles to trade. We will trade some of
the billions which France owes us and which
we never expect to get anyway for a reduc-
ton of French claims Upon Germany. We
might profitably agree to lower our tariff
barriers if France will do likewise and stand
with us in attempting to have other count
ries follow in the same direction. One reason
for the sudden turn toward reason and con-
citation on the part of France is to be found