The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-05
Danger of Political Crisis
Appears to Lie in Proposed
Notifications.
OCCUPATION IN DISPUTE
American and British Differ
ences Also Arise on the
Silesian Question.
BY LAURENCE HILLS.
Sfa6 Correspondent Of TIE Suy.

ptoU Correspondent OF The Sun,
COPYRIGHT. 1919: oH riohts rsserpsd.
PARIS, June 4.-Upon conferences
now going on among the allied and
American experts will depend the ex-
tent Of notifications to be made in
the German treaty. Naturally the
French experts ere the ones that
must be won over.
Unquestionably the Germans are
counting upon serious divergencies
among the Allies, but this appears
unwarranted as yet. The French are
the critical factors, although, as THE
Sun stated, Premier Clemenceau has
indicated a willingness to make
changes in the reparation plan.
Rumors to this effect already are
causing outbreaks in the French
Chamber Of Deputies, with predic-
tions Of a serious Government crisis
unless the reparation hopes are
realized.
Substituting a fixed sum of repara-
tion, thus revealing exnctly what
France could hope to obtain, easily
might preclpitate a serious political
situation. as the amount almost GER
tainly would be less than French ex-
pectations.
Signature Is Desired.
NJ. Clemenceau Is known to have
consulted the French Cabinet on this
question to-day. AS THE Sun stated,
1t is the desire to get a treaty that
the Germans will sign that Is actual
ing the British and American pro-
posals for changes. The British take
the view that the present Govern
ment's signature would mean some
thing, whereas no faith could be
placed In the signature of the IDde-
pendents If they were substituted for
the present delegation.
Both the British and Americans
are convinced Rantzau will sign II
notifications are made, although 1t
must not be assumed as yet that the
British and Americans are working
in complete accord. The British are
holding out for plebiscite in Silesia.
despite the fact that the commission
of experts gave this territory to
Poland. On the other hand, the
Americans feel that an economical
offset for this possibly might lie in
giving a mandatory to the Germans
for some of the seized colonies, which
would mean British REIMBURSEMENT
thereof. Apparently there Is no
chance that the British will favor
the return of any of the colonies
under any plan.
Both are agreed that there should
be modification of the reparation
plan, without any change in principle,
but merely n question of time. 1t
Is on this point that the British show
the most astonishing reversal Of their
former attitude, as It was Premier
Lloyd George as much as Premier
Clemenceau who insisted on the pres
ent plan.
sum VIII he a Compromise.
One of the explanations is that
Mr.. Lloyd George now knows that the
British public feels the reparation
sum Is not too big, great as 1t was,
and that the Lloyd George Govern
ment can stand the truth without
peril. The sum will not be as low
as the $25, 1000, 100000, without inter
est, as suggested by the Germans.
The sum likely to be named as
compromise will approximate
$4,000, 100000.
In conference with the President
the American financial experts gave
two reasons for fixing the amount
now.
First, II will give something definite
for the Allies to count upon In max
ing up their budgets in the coming
years.
Second, 1t will limit Germany's liza
billty instead Of leaving It open, ne
heretofore, thus improving her credit
situation and helping to shape her
economic affairs.
In addition 1t. was urged that the
plan would do away with the func-
lions Of the Teparations commission,
which Is the sorest point in German