New-York tribune., 1920-03-12
Britain Seeks
German Rights
In So. America
Proposal to Take Over
Vast Interests i'm Latin
Countries Laid Before
Reparations Commission
U. S. to Make Inquiry
Protest by Senator Hen
derson Requests Action
to Protect Our Capital
u. S. to Make Inquiry
BY Carter Field

WASHINGTON, March 11.-With no
American member on the Reparations
Commission to look out for the inter-
ests Of this country, that body is con-
-sidering proposal, it was learned
here to-day, which may result in trans
ferring tremendous interests in South
and Central America to Great Britain.
These interests, which include water
power sites, electric plants and public
utilities, were owned by Germany be-
fore the war, and the British are un-
derstood to have made a proposal to
the Reparations Commission to take
them over.
The State Department has been In
formed of the situation and has direct
ed that inquiries be made, both of the
British government and the Repara-
tions Commission, as to the exact
nature of the proposal.
Just what. the Administration will
do about it should it develop that Brit
ish capitalists have offered to buy
these former German interests in
Latin America could not be learned
here tonight. It was suggested in one
quarter that this government might
demand that American capital be given
an opportunity to bid. The Depart
ment of Commerce, it was said, would
be interested because ownership of
utilities generally results in opening
the way for other sorts of commercial
activities. The management of such
interests naturally do their purchasing,
both of machinery and supplies, mostly
from their own countries. Their pur-
chases set up a flow of trade which in
evltably leads to better shipping facili-
ties and credit arrangements. The re-
suit is that local concerns find it to
their advantage to float with the cur
rent, thus throwing their trade to the
country represented in their commu-
nifty by the power interests.
Shrewd Move for British
By buying their interests now from
the Reparations Commission, it is
pointed out, the British would be
driving shrcwd bargain. The money
they would pay to the Reparations
Commission for the property acquired
would be at once available for indem-
mites. which would greatly benefit
Great Britain and France and Belgium,
which owe Britain large sums.
protest against the proposed sale
vas made to the State Department by
Senator Henderson, of Nevada, who re-
ceived word from abroad about the
situation.
"This proposed purchase" Senator
henderson n said to-day, in discussing
qnisition would give British trade, ais
another Illustration Of the Importance
that America should be represented on
these commissions set up by the peace
treaty.
There have been several incidents
OF this sort which convinced me that
we ought to ratify the treaty, no mat
ter what reservations we may have to
accept. Suppose we should decide to
few years? That might be perfectly
satisfactory, but meantime we should
be represented on these commissions.
Tie most important time Of all for lis
to be in is right now, and for the next
year on two: After that it won't make
so much difference"
Opens Trade Opportunities
Senator Henderson was one Of the
group of Democratic Senators that
broke away from the Wilson Hitchcock
leadership recently and has been vot-
ing to accept the Lodge reservations.
II don't blame the British interests
for going after this opportunity" Mr..
Henderson continued. 81 admire them
for it. 1t will be fine thing for them
every way you look at it. 1t is good
investment, in the first place. Then
the money which the British pay for
this property will go to the Reparations
Comm ssion, from which, considering
that every nation which can nope to
draw against the Reparations Commits
sion is a debtor Of Great Britain, it
practically finds its way into the Brit
ish treasury. Then on top Of all that
wonderful trade opportunities are
opened UP in those countries.
meanwhile, the United States gov
ernment sits idly by, watching these
opportunities slip by, while she delays