Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1920 — ARMY SUPPLIES ARE SOLD [ARTICLE]

ARMY SUPPLIES ARE SOLD

$760,000,000 Is Realized on U. S. Stuff in France. Value of Entire Property Is Estimated at $1,700,000,000 by General Connor. Antwerp.—The sum of $760,000,000 was realized from the sale of American stocks remaining in France after the departure of the American army, said Brig. Gen. W. D. Connor, chief of staff of the American department of supply. He estimated the value of the stocks at $1,700,000,000, and declared It would have cost $75,000,000 to take them back to America. — - Had they been retailed in various countries great losses would have been entailed, as the expense would have been heavy, he said. “Franco . paid '5400.000.00Q Yor stocks it took over, while other allies and smaller nations purchased supplies for $360,000,000. As an offset against the stocks bought by France that country undertook to pay damage claims amounting to several million dollars as a result of American operations in training areas. When the American army went to France it was agreed that farms and buildings used by it in training would be left in the same condition as found. Miles of trenches were dug and buildings were demolished and American forces were rushed into Germany before the land could be restored to its former condition. General .Connor again denied the

old story that the French made the American army ' pay. for the trenches It occupied In France. “The whblOTruth,” he said, “is that the American army has not paid a cent for any ground used or for anything destroyed at the front. General Connor sailed on the liner Lapland, which was the first ocean passenger steamer to clear from Antwerp for America since August, 1914. There were 450 passengers, including Henry D. Morgan. American consul general at Brussels, and Mrs. Morgan. Just before Mr. Morgan left the capital he was received in speclab audience by King Albert.