THE DAWES REPORT.
[To the Editor .of ;the SPECTATOR.] Sra,—The one outstanding defect—and it is, I fear, a crucial defect—in the Dawes :proposal is the absence of the human
factor—the element of hope. The collation of facts seems to be sound, and the-finding thereon correct, but the perspective is shut• in. No smoothly working settlement can be devised without the fixation of the total sum to be exacted. I know the Dawes Committee had no authority to taolcle that phase of the problem ; but, then, its whole mission was in the last analysis merely consultative. A hint alone of a reasonable and feasible amount would have been sufficient, and would have at once made• the report serve as a basis for a compre- hensive and final adjustment Nor could• such a• casual recommendation have been either ill-advised or improper ; no more, or .rather much less, than the inclusion of the mili- tary features.
Germany may accept the report, and I am disposed to think that under pressure of world-wide public opinion she will accept. But I feel confident that the settlement will prove only temporary, as both Germany's own self-confidence and the world's confidence in Germany is sure to break down under the precariousness of the ultimate outcome. On the other hand, with the total once definitely fixed, Germany might be spurred, not only to do as required, but to out- distance all expectations. As a piece of machinery the Dawes Report is almost perfect. What is needed now is to endow it with human motive power. And- this could be brought about by a Conference of all the concerned Powers, with the object of determining the total reparation amount, at which Confer- ence Germany should be given a chance to be heard—not in the Lloyd George bluff fashion of " take it or leave it "- but in a. fair and humane manner. Once the total is fixed, the rest would work itself out with more than automatic precision. All will then go forward with a will. Only where there is a will is there notably a way. The Dawes Committee proposes to free Germany's hand. It behoves the masters now to free Germany's, soul. Let it at last be a thorough job.—I am, Sir, &c., GABRIEL WELLS. 489 Fifth Avenue, New York. April 10th.
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