New-York tribune., 1919-07-29
Opposition Party Seeks to
Block $500, 600, 900 Deal
on Eve of Consumma-
ton; Gale e d Harmful
Ready to Sign Contracts
Purchase W ould Keep
Factories Closed, Increase
Idleness, Say Laborites

PARIS, July % (By The Associated
Press) by their defeat
last Tuesday, the opponents of the
Clemenceau government will make an
other attempt to overthrow the min
istry this week by an appeal to the
working classes to block the policy Of
the government in purchasing Ameri
can army supplies in Europe.
The opposition will look to the in
dustrial workers for support, assert
ing that such transaction will be
detrimental, causing the manufacture
ing plants to remain closed and idle
ness on the part of the workingmen.
1t is said in Socialist quarters that
Albert Thomas, former Minister of
Munitions, will oppose ratification of
the deal. M. Thomas was absent when
noon, but his secretary said in a nom
committal way that the former min
lister would be guided by his inter-
probation of Frances best interests.
To Close Deal Soon
C. W. Hare, chairman of the Ameri-
can Stocks Liquidation Commission,
and was expected to reach Paris to-
night, expecting to close the contract
soon with the French government.
The Associated Press is in a position
to say that the deal cannot be ter
minated until the arrival in Paris of
Chairman Hare, but from the present
outlook it is probable that the trans
action will be satisfactorily settled to-
morrow.
The purchase agreement, which has
been drafted tentatively, if approved
troops, except the few thousands re-
naming on the Rhine, to return to the
United States by September /, it was
said
Louis Morel, Under Secretary of
State for the liquidation of stocks, and
a large force of experts, are busy
completing the elaborate proposal Of
The French government to be sub
mitted to Mr.. Hare.
Auto Makers Interested
A number of French commercial
delegations, including many automo-
bile manufacturers, called at the
French Ministry of Finance to-day in
connection with the proposed purchase
of American army materials.
French opposition to the proposed
purchases, according to officials, has
centered on the acquisition of manu-
factured articles, particularly automo-
biles, and it was said this opposition
would be voiced in the Chamber of
Deputies Thursday. Acquisition of
foodstuffs and raw materials, it was
said, is generally approved.
$300,000,000 To Be Paid
Both American and French headquar-
ters demurred at naming the exact fig
ure which was offered. The Americans
said that it would be indelicate on
their part to give out the amount; the
French volunteered the information
cded upon. A well-informed Deputy,
who is a member of the budget COM
mission, told the correspondent in the
Chamber this morning that $500, ,000,-
600 would prove as accurate an estl-
mate as had been made.
The cose of the supplies to be sold
was estimated at $l,500,0O000O several
months ago, but since then many sup
plies covered by the estimate have been
disposed of to some Of the newly
formed governments, and the material
remaining now is said to be values at
far less than $1,000,O000OO.
The largest items of material are
locomotives, railway cars, automobiles
and motor trucks. The foodstuffs to
be sold are valued at somewhat less
than $500 100000.
Called "Good News"
The transfer of American supplies
was the chief topic of the day, it being
discussed along the boulevards, in pub
lie places and cafes. There are both
fcrvent partisans and vehement oppo
nents of the transaction.
All the Paris newspapers are dis
playing the story on their front pages
The "Intransigeant," under the cap
ton, "a Good Piece of News" says
that signatures had been exchanged
this morning. 1t adds that Under Sec
retary of State Morel however, refused
to confirm it either officially or semi
officially. A French official informed
the correspondent that the stories pub
lished in the morning and Afternoon
papers were, to say the least, "prema
ture."