New-York tribune., 1920-03-04
Change of Attitude by
Premiers in Liberaliz-
ing Reparation Seen
as indicating Wilson
London Conference
Held Secret Close
State Department Dis
credits Report Senate
Caused Change of Face
From The Tribune's washins.m Bureau


Caused Change of Face
From The Tribune's Washinotm Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 3.-In
spite Of the fact that the United
States government has not been ad-
vised by the Allied Prem iers Of what
is taking place in this direction, the
government here, it was declared at
the State Department to-day, views.
with satisfaction the published re-
port that the London conference,
now in session, is prepared to lib
eralize the terms of reparation i'm
posed on Germany by the Treaty Of
Versailles.
Such change Of attitude, it was
declared, has been anticipated, and
it was stated that the President
probably would be disposed to re-
gard the fact as vindication of his
stand in the sessions of the Paris
peace conference.
The President while at Paris. It
was pointed out, was constantly
urging upon Lloyd George and
Clemenceau his conviction that by
making the terms too hard the peace
conference would make it impossible
for Germany to pay her debt to the
Allies, but would encourage a condi-
tion of chaos and revolution in Cen
trai Europe that would threaten the
future peace Of the world.
Maximum Penalties Imposed
In this contention he was support
ed by Bernard M. Baruch and other
American representatives on the
reparations commission. In spite of
his attitude, however, the maximum
penalties were imposed.
Since the disbanding Of the peace
conference. it was said, the United
States has not officially attempted to
renew its efforts in that direction. al
though in unofficial conversations"
here and in Paris, with British and
french representatives, the advice has
been constantly repeated.
AT the same time the State Depart
ment admits that it is in the dark as
to the deliberations at London. a cir
cumstance of no little interest to off,
Gals in view OF the Presidents insist
ance in the Adriatic correspondence
that this government be kept closely
ADVISED OF any negotiations on the part
OF the Allied government to modify the
arrangement effected at Paris.
In these councils of the prime min
listers the United States has no rep
resentatlves, although it is unofficially
IN attendance at all the conferences Of
the Allied Ambassadors at Paris and
OF the reparations commission. Inas-
much as any changes in the reparasion
clauses of the treaty would have to
come before the reparations commits
sion, it is assumed here that event
uaily this government will be advised
and cOnsu ted.
Berlin for Versailles Pact
In the mean time the State Depart
ment is not disposed to credit the sug-
gestion that the change of front on
the part of the British and French gov
ernments is in any way due to the pros
pect that the United States will be de-
barred by the American Senate from
entering the league of nations and will,
be forced into a separate
treaty with Germany.
Unquestionably, it is admitted, the
efforts of the United States in behalf
Of more liberal treatment for Germany
nave made an Impression in that coun-
try, but it is declared that the Allies
have no reason to fear that, by sep
arate treaty, the United States and
Germany would be drawn into closer
and trade relations with each
other, at the expense of the commercial
of France and England.
Nor is the State Department inclined
to believe that the change Of front in
London, promising for its part a better
understanding between the Allies and
Germany, Is intended as a means of
bringing pressure to bear on the Senate
TOR ratification as the price of an equal
share in German trade.
For her part, according to the view
expressed at the Department to-day,
Germany would much prefer to have
1he United States party to the Treaty
u Versailles than to negotiate a sep
arate treaty with this co4ntry, ner
reason being that as party to the
general peace treaty the United States
might be relied on to sit on the various
commissions as friend at court in
the administration of its terms.
Complications Feared
On the other hand, officials here pro-
fess to have grave prehension CON
corning complications certain to arise
in the event that the United States
withdraws from the Versailles pact and
proceeds with negotiations OF a sep
arate treaty, as the department as
sumes the President would have to do
if the Senate should ratify the treaty
with reservations Objectionable to The
White House
1t was pointed out that with tho
treaty as it stands the interests of
the United States with regard to rep
arations, the disposal of German ships
and other matters are so interlocked
with the interests Of the Allies that
the attempt TO unscramble them would
be certain to lead to difficulties.
The State Departmezs dAstsS SA-<s
published reports FROM Pxris thMt ! ~
United States, in VIZ 2 es tks prospxUt
of the treaty's def.at In the Sess5A
10 rnutau NJ fiNp