The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-02
Wilson ION Sidelines' as
French and British Try to
Reach Compromise.
NEW PLAN is OUTLINED
Germany May Pay Big In
itial Sum, With install
ments Later.
CONFERENCE OPTIMISTIC
Lloyd George to Remain In
Paris - France to Get
German Coal. )
CONFERENCE OPTIMISTIC
BY LAURENCE HILLS.
Sfar Correspondent Of THE Sus.

Sf16 Correspondent Of The Sus.
Copyright 1919: all rights reserped
PARIS, April President Wilson
may be described as being on the
side lines while the British and
French fight out the problem Of rep
aration. regarding which an entirely,
new plan has been advanced as d
possible compromise and is receiving
serious consideration.
Under 1t the amount of reparation
would not be fixed, but an allied comi
mission would be appointed which
would watch the building up of Ger
many and determine the sums to be
paid from time to time, based upon
her financial condition rs appeared
then.
This arrangement would obtain
over a long period of years. No
precedent seems to exist for It and
difficulty, it is explained, may bo
met In working out formula. Under
this plan Germany would make
large initial payment, but the amount
Of the total indemnity would be un-
fixed.
German Resources q PusnIe.
1t Is argued that there is no way Of
determining how much Germany really
can pay. and 1t Is believed that even
the Germans themselves would favor
this plan. Certainly 1t would relieve
France and Great Britain Of the seri-
Gus difficulty they would have other
wise in explaining TO the people why
the large indemnities they expected ars
not forthcoming.
The President succeeded in having
certain principles adopted in the repa-
ration problem, and has told Premier
Lloyd George and Premier Clemenceau
to fight out the remainder of it be.
tween themselves
Some progress appears to have been
made to-day toward an eventual set
tlement. Premier Lloyd George has
sent word to London that he intends
to remain here until the peace treaty
is finished, which has given great en-
couragement. Rumors circulated hero
that President Wilson might return
thoritatively as absolutely without any
basis.
Foch Wins Concession.
In regard to the problem of the
eastern frontier of France it is known
that for two days Marshal Foch has
fought for the French contention as
hard as he ever fought the Germans
and he has won the acceptance of at
least one of his main points. that a
neutral zone shall be established at
least fifty kilometers about thirty
milesl on the eastern side of tho
Rhine. 1t appears now also that
France will get all the coal and min
eral right in the Saar valley.
Interest was aroused by the arrival
OF King Albert of the Bclgians in an
nirplanc. II is limited that he came
to press before President Wilson sew
eral points in which the Belgians arc
! especially interested. one of these
concerns Belgium's claim to priority
in regard to reparation payments by
Germany.
King Albert has taken an active
/ part already In looking after the In
;erests OF Belgium here and to-day
| held several conferences with various
! Ministers.
| The japanese appear 20 have ar
| rived nowhere yet in their campaign
| for u racial equality amendment to
| the covenant OF the League OF Ma
| tions. Great Britain looks upon IL
very coldly and II is regarded now as
unlikely that Japan will get what she
seeks, according to present indications.