The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1944-05-11
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BEHIND
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Yn.eruational Side Steps
~ Administration
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Observation-Disclosures Sec.
re4arv Morgenthau is again taking
nm the postwar world bank pro-
zeal IN which the basic idea is
hat the United States contribute
the bulk of the money, but for
felt q control commensurate with
its investment.
State Assistant Secretary Berle
L n London negotiating for a
Estwar air agreement. but, he
savs not considering the acquisi-
tion of air bases for the United
States. Ex-Governor Lehman is
working on food rehabilitation
plans, whereby we contribute the
food. and other officials are labor
ing on world WPA plans which
cali for the United States to fl
nance reconstruction.
The working basis upon which
all are proceeding in all these
things seems to be approximately
the same, namely, that this coun-
try must give but not take. Our
neeotiators seem inclined to look
at this nation as rich and powerful,
and they wish to be free with its
power as well as its money.
They are perfectly sincere. Their
premise is that we must "help"
the world, but they follow it so
deeply that they want to repudi-
ate every thought of gain for us
as unworthy, any thought of ac-
QUESTION as almost a sin.
Long Range View
But take the long range view.
Suppose we spent and lend post
war money throughout the world
for its rehabilitation. At first
sight that looks like real. help, and
it is-temporarily.
It is just about the same help
as a shot in the arm, only that,
then come the after-effects. After
the money is spent, or when
the loan cannot be repaid, you
begin to get the real appraisal
" such help.
~ Foreign nations cannot repay
except in goods, but we can take
only a very limited amount. For
them to borrow rnof8 ahG more
money from us never improves
their position, only plunges them
further and further in debt they
already cannot pay.
But to give them the money
outright help them only temporar-
lily also. If it enables them to
build industries that compete with
ours, it hurts our trade, weakens
our position for good in the world,
and gives them some improved
positions as against us-but does
it "help" the world as a whole?
OF course not. It only helps
France, or Poland, or whatever
nation, as against the United
States, which really hurts the
world, if you assume that our
leadership and our superior posi-
ton is good for the world in the
first place-as you must.
The only way a real construc-
tive, economic "help" could be
achieved is if we get something
productive economically out OF
such gifts and loans-if we get
business, for instance, that i'm
proves our people or trade, or air
fields that strengthen our posi-
ton and our leadership.
This is not nationalism, imper-
lalism, or such tommy-rot, it is the
simplest common sense. i
Off on Wrong Foot
J The whole thing, therefore,
seems to be getting off on the
wrong foot-the idea of giving
unbalanced by acquiring, the no.
ton Of weakening the world, not
building it up-and mean weak
enlng in every respect, because
man who makes a loan to
another man who cannot repay
Weakens both himself and the
donor. This can only be justified
as charity, not economics.
The handling of the situation de-
mands wisdom, and restraint, on
the world bank. The first ques-
IONS that must arise from any
common-SenSe standpoint is whe-
tner 1T is needed, whether existing
exchange facilities (already man.
aged completely by our govern
menb are not enough for any
good use.
second question is the mainte-
nance of the American dollar
value. If it is maintained as a
respectable norm to the people of
our country and the world, will
lilS not in itself help" the world
more than fifty-cent dollar or
worthless dollar?
Most of these agreements will
nave to be submitted to congress
tor appropriations or approval. II
sle agreements merely raise a
iisnt and get into politics land
uhey certainly will on this curren!
pasi0 what benefit to the world?
Does 1t not seem possible that
.liey may lead instead into d
complete nullity of any sound
practical effort to help the world?
warren as Keynoter
Inc surprise designation OF
,Iail1orma's Governor Warren as
keynoter spokesman for the Re-
puolcan presidential convention
ltas been generally attributed to
o''ernor Dewey. Actually it was
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