GERMANY MUST PAY,

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 1714, 19 August 1922, Page 4

GERMANY MUST PAY,

It has been rightly decided by the Conference of Allies that Germany must pay her clearing-house debts amounting to £2,000,000, and it is gratifying to learn that a definite time limit has been drawn. Indeed, it is more or less significant that Germany should show some hesitation when the date of payment fell due. In the last issue of the Chronicle a Berlin message appeared, informing us that notes had been addressed to the British, French, Italian and Belgian Governments, declaring that owing to the foreign currency requirements for "urgently needed necessaries of life," and the fall of the mark, it was unable to meet the clearing-house payment. In spite of this seemingly pathetic plea, we have prominent financiers and business men returning from Germany astounded by the unmistakable signs of prosperity and plenty. We must pay some attention to these theories and treat them for what they are worth. "Once bitten, twice shy," should be the keynote of the Allies' negotiations in this matter. It must be borne in mind that "ill treated" and down at the mouth Germany has not a navy or army to maintain, but let it be stressed that she is very heedful of her progress in the air. Recent cables bear this out. It is one of the simplest economic facts that Germany is the mercury in her own financial barometer, and can easily control the register of the gauge, whether it be "up" or "down." Under those very palpable circumstances, it can be readiiy seen the colossal problem confronted by the Allies to effect due payment. The necessity for immediate action has fortunately been realised by the conference, and in accordance with the expert committee's proposal, Germany must pay the sum clue within four weeks. If Germany were even in the chaotic state similar to Russia and sent out a cry to the Allies, it would be difficult indeed to know just how far things had gone, for Germany is very much like "The Boy and the Wolf."