Show 4 FRANCE FRANCIE I IT T IS difficult for the rest of the world to understand the obstinacy of France In withholding assent to the moratorium plan Adolph S. S Ochs publisher of the New York Times returning from Europe yesterday after calling President Hoovers Hoover's proposal timely said that it was being received enthusiastically acclaimed and indorsed everywhere everywhere everywhere every every- where except in France In France he said the fear of Germanys Germany's recovery to strength and power Is an obsession that pervades all classes and political parties This obsession seems to be founded In the stubbornness of the republic to recognize that the Germany of the militaristic pan-German pan era has been replaced since the war by a democracy that has already overcome staggering staggering staggering stag stag- gering obstacles to preserve its republican form of government and to build a great and peace loving nation But in addition to this fear France hasIn has hasIn hasin in mind its own economic situation It cannot cannot cannot can can- not apparently comprehend that It its security security security ity is better guar guaranteed by a strong republican can Germany than by a weak state likely at any time to crumble before the of Russian radicalism It cannot understand that it cannot be prosperous while surrounded surround surround- ed by bankrupt nations France faces the necessity of looking be beyond beyond beyond be- be yond the figures on the national balance sheets Before any lasting and sound economic eco eco- structure may be erected there the greater significance of the backgrounds must be appreciated By accepting the Hoover plan as proposed France would face a net loss of in reparations She depends on these not alone to meet her foreign war debts but for domestic problems as well Under the proposal France stands to lose per capita the United States would lose 2 per capita It is perhaps true that France would benefit less through the application of the moratorium than any other nation We cannot say to France Accept the proposal or nothing There will have to be bea a mutually acceptable adjustment |