Evening star., 1936-03-11
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Apart from the United States general
concern in the preservation Of peace,
this country has special interest in the
territory involved in Germany's remili-
tarization of the Rhineland. 1t relates
to the round 100000, 900 due from the
Reich for the costs of the American
Army of Occupation which was stationed
on the Rhine after the armistice, with
headquarters near Coplenz, one Of the
principal points within the area just re-
occupied by Hitlers troops. The amount
originally payable was $292, ,663 ABS. In
consequence of credits to Germany. in
stallments on account and reductions un-
der the Young plan, the total was even
tually cut to the balance Of $181 1857, 1873
now standing on the Treasury books as
unpaid. Uncle Sam has exercised no
more pressure upon the Reich for liquida-
'tion Of the Army occupation bill than he
has upon his other European war debtors.
The amount still owing by the Germans
is exclusive of 10 per cent reduction in
the amount originally due. That allow
ance was made at the time France and
Great Britain agreed to cancel the bal
ance due on account of their occupation
costs. which amounted to approximately
10 per cent of the initial obligation. The
Young plan provided for series of an
auities whereby Germany was to liquidate
her Indebtedness to the United States
over period of 81 years.
* X
Events In Europe and the Far East are
proving that President Roosevelt in his
message to Congress on January 3 was
amazingly prophetic in forecasting an
overloaded international horizon. He
said: Since 1888 the temper and pur-
poses of the rulers of many of the great
populations in Europe and Asia have not
pointed the way either to peace or good
will among men. A point has been
reached where the people of the Americas
must take cognizance of growing ill-will,
Of marked trends toward aggression, Of
increasing armaments, of shortening
tempers--a situation which has in 1t
many of the elements that lead to the
tragedy Of general war" With conflict
raging in Africa, brewing in Europe and
threatening. In Asia, the Roosevelt ad-
ministration's desire to cement the states
of the Western Hemisphere In a bloc
dedicated to peace is whetted afresh.
Washington authorities believe an ideal
opportunity is now offered the North,
Central and South American nations to
set disordered and anxious world con-
spicuous and constructive example Of
good neighborliness. The hitch In Para
guay-Bolivian peace is not expected to
slow up plans for the inter-American
parley at Buenos Aires.
One anticipated effect Of the peace
menactng turmoil in Asia and Europe, as
Tar as Washington is concerned, is the
probable greater readiness of Congress
to approve, with minimum of delay
and opposition, the pending peace-time
record Army and Navy appropriations,
totaling around $1,000 10000 On GER
tain past occasions suggestions have
cropped ur that war scares were some
times suddenly manufactured" to popu-
larize military and naval budgets. This
time Europeans and Asiatics between
them are providing about all the argu-
ments necessary to fill Congress with
realization Of the United States de-
fensive necessities, at moment univer-
sally deemed to be the most critical in
world history since 1914.
Announcement that John Hamilton,
general counsel Of the J1epuhlican Ns-