SCATHING CRITICISM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 6, 7 December 1931, Page 12

SCATHING CRITICISM.

“THE REPARATIONS COMEDY.”

“If Germany succeeds in her barelydisguised attempt at finally repudiating reparations under the Young iPlan —simultaneously convincing the world that she is unable to meet her commercial obligations—slio will* instead of paying a war indemnity, have received a handsome sum from the victorious Allies,” declares the Daily Mail, in an article entitled “Those Topsy-turvy Reparations.” _ __ ork “Germany, between 1920 and 1930, received long short-term loans, equivalent to £1,125,000,000, the United States providing 60 per cent and Britain 35 per cent of the amount,” states the article. '. “Germany in reparations disbursed only £625,000,000. Thus, disregarding the further commercial credit which Germany has received during the last six months, she will, if the slate be wiped clear, have obtained a free gift of £500,000,000. . . “Moreover, although it is frequently stated that the reparations caused Germany’s precarious situation, the fact is that Germany has not paid a single reparation from her own pocket, but has merely paid the Allies from loans. “It is pointed out that the £6,600,000,000 which the Allies in the flush of victory fixed the reparations at has been whittled down to £2,375,000,000, spread over 60 years. “It is important to note,” states the Daily Mail, “that Germany has spent exactly £2,475,000,000 in the last five years in organising her factories, and in internal developments, £812,000,000 coming from foreign loans, and £1,653,000,000 from internal loans and taxes. “Some items are enormous, the expenditure enabling Germany to flood the world with .cheap goods. Here are a few of them;—£22s,ooo,ooo for reorganisation of mines and textile and chemical factories, . £162,500,000 for new energy-producing plants, £400,000,000 for railway and other communications. £43, 0CX),000 for small workshops and home industries, £375,000,000 for living and accommodation, including luxury homes on a great scale.” _