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Show "UNOFFICIAL" STABILIZATION- The reparations program worked out by the unofficial committee com-mittee of experts, and now agreed upon at the Reparations Con-j Con-j ference, owes its great success to the fact that all the work done was unofficial and nonpolitical- For months a committee of the most able American financiers and practical business men labored in Europe to work out a program pro-gram to restore European stability, but disconnected from the government of the United States. International co-operation and application of business principles prin-ciples had to be employed because there were divisions of opinion in both political parties and powerful factions opposed to any participation partici-pation by Our Country officially in European affairs. . The reparations program had to be worked out on financial and economic lines, with a plan so wise, clear, strong and practical that it could be afterwards put into operation and carried through over a period of years by any administration that might be in power in any of the countries directly interested. It so happens that men very prominent in the Republican and Democratic organizations, participated in this unofficial, non-governmental expert committee and the agreement reached during the international inter-national confernece is entitled to the support of public opinion in all political parties to bring about the desired economic results. The bigget men in Our Country, regardless of party, are agreed that reconstruction of the economic life of Europe on sound business principles indispensable to our own well being and prosperity. Take the simple fact that Europe bought 80 per cent of our farm exports, making a market for the surplus products of our farmers, making business for our ships, railroads and factories and then realize that that market was destroyed by the war. After the armistice, four years were spent in fighting over political polit-ical theories, largely over names like the League of Nations and the World Court, but always arousing partisan political strife and prejudices, prej-udices, and racial antagonism. The recent London conferences that have reached an agreement agree-ment on the reparations plan were not conducted on political lines the new labor premier of England presiding, American statesmen participating par-ticipating without injecting politics; Germany and France for once burying the hatchet and all subscribing to the final agreement the greatest step toward international peace along business lines that has ever been taken. Much remains to be done to carry the reparations plan into full effect. Berlin and Paris advices show a strong desire to work for peace and friendship between the people of the world. France and England were about as far apart as France and Germany and the first steps are taken for the evacuation of the Ruhr. "Peace hath ber victories no less renowned than war." |