The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-29
FRANCE is PRICING
US. ARMY SUPPLIES
Worth a Billion, but Offer of
$4,000 600 Is ALI That
Americans Expect.
BID DIVISION COMING HOME
Troops on Rhine's Left Bank
Entrain August 3, Leaving
10000 in Germany.

PARIS, July &c. w. Hare. chairman
OF the American Stocks Liquidation Com
mission. and his star arrived at Brest
to-day. with the expectation Of coon
closing a contract with the French Gov
eminent for the purchase of american
army supplies In Europe.
The purchase agreement. which has
been drafted tentatively, Il approved
promptly, would enable all American
troops except the few thousand remain
ing on the Rhine, TO return TO the. United
States by September 4, 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 Gov
eminent TO be submitted TO Mr.. Hare
upon his arrival here.
A number OF French commercial dele
cations, including many automobile man
ufacturers, called at the French Ministry
OF Finance to-day In connection with the
proposed purchase of American army
materials.
Opposition Expected I'm Chamber.
French opposition to the proposed pur-
chases, according to officials, has CEN
tired on the acquisition Of manufactured
articles. particularly automobiles, and It
was said this opposition would be voiced
I'm the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday.
The acquisition OF foodstuffE and raw
materials, 1t was said, is generally ap-
proved
Undeterred by their defeat OF Tuesday
last. the opponents of the Clemenceau
Cabinet will make another attempt to
place the Ministry in the minority. They
win appeal to industrial workers and
others. claiming that such a transaction
VIII be detrimental, causing the manu-
featuring plants to remain closed and
idleness on the part OF the workingmen.
It is said in Socialist quarters that
Albert Thomas former Minister OF Mu-
nitions, will oppose ratification Of the
deal. NJ. Thomas was absent when the
correspondent called this afternoon, but
his secretary said in a non-committal
way that the former Minister would be
guided by his Interpretation of Frances
best interests.
Both American and French headquar-
tiers 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 that
the amount had not yet been decided
upon. A well informed Deputy. who is
member of the Budget Commission
told the correspondent in the Chamber
this morning that 00,000.000 would
prove as accurate an estimate as had
been made.
The transfer of American supplies WIS
the chief topic of the day, it being dis
cussed along the bouievards, in public
places and cafes. There are both fer
vent partisans and vehement opponents
to the transaction.
All of the Paris papers are displaying
the story on their front page. The IN
tran si1Gdnt, under the caption "A Good
Piece of News" said that signatures had
been exchanged this morning. 1t added
that Under Secretary OF State Morel.
however. refused TO confirm It either
officially or semt-oftIcially. A French
official informed the correspondent that
the stories published In the morning and
afternoon papers were, TO say the least,
premature.
The Associated Press is in position
to say that the deal cannot be termi-
mated until the arrival In Paris OF Chair
man Hare, but from the present outlook
It Is probable that the transaction will
be satisfactorily settled tomorrow.
The cost OF the supplies to be sold
was estimated at 81 ,500O 900. 900 several
months ago. but since then many sup
plies covered by that estimate have been
disposed of to some OF the newly formed
Governments, and the material remain
ing now Is said to be valued at far less
than $1,000, 100000. The largest items
OF material are locomotives, railway
cars, automobiles and motor trucks. The
foodstuffs to be sold are valued at some
what less than $500, 900.