THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
restoration must be wrought before the human procession can 20
onward again.”
The Chamber of Commerce of the United States most earnestly
endorses this statement and urges that all Americans unite with
the Executive in securing without unnecessary delay a sound solu-
tion of the problem involved.
World restorations will be influenced to an important degree by
settlement of the relationship of the United States to the nations of
Europe. It is equally clear that the return of our domestic pros-
perity largely depends upon this settlement.
We believe that the clear definition and positive declaration by
the United States of its policy concerning the establishment and
maintenance of world peace, and of order and understanding in the
commercial intercourse of nations, is of greater importance than
any other problem now confronting our country and the world.
We therefore urge that our national policy in this respect be fixed
with all possible speed consistent with just recognition of our obli-
gations, of the necessary safeguards to our own institutions and
interests, and especially of the rights of American nationals abroad.
(Resolution, Ninth Annual Meeting, 1921.)
INTERNATIONAL DEBTS
Determination of the status of debts incurred during the war
and due from other governments to the American Government and
ascertainment of the exact amounts of principal and interest are
essential to restoration of the exchanges and advancement of our
export trade. These problems should be taken up by our Govern-
ment with the least possible delay, and solutions found which are
just, alike to our allies and to ourselves. (Resolution, Ninth Annual
Meeting, 1921.)
RerArRATIONS COMMISSION
The most important problems affecting the restoration of inter-
national trade are financial in character. The Reparations Commis-
sion exerts a greater influence over the solution of these problems
than any other single agency in the world.
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