Evening star., 1920-05-23
BY NEWBOLD MOVES.

~ UT Of the Anglo-Fren conference
held at Hythe. England during the
week comes one all-important
derstanding between the countries
commemorative sum which Germany shall be
required to pay as reparation. This. it should
be understood. is not the final and official de-
cision as to what that sum shall be. for that
decision will only be reached at Spa during
the latter part of June. after conference with
the representatives of the German govern
ment. 1t is. however. safe to assume that
the figure decided upon at Hythe is very close
to the one to be named at Spa. for when all
is said and done 1t is the allies and not Ger
many who will decide what must be paid.
The decided upon is reported as ap-
proximately $751; 100000. The details of
the arrangement remain to be settled by the
financial delegates. who are still working upon
it. 1t is understood. however. that Germany
ments as they fall due. Authorities in this
country are prompt to question the possibil-
ity Of successfully floating such issues point
ing out that foreign citizens of German ex
issue the proceeds of which would be for the
payment of indemnties alone. and that utter
foreigners, the citizens of France. Italy. Eng
land Japan and the United States. would in
effect. by subscribing to such an issue, merely
ting it n the r1ns ths Of
collecting the indemnity. even though re-
$4,000. .ooo.oo to the asure indicated above.
are none too rosy. and the most difficult part
Tim as .ask rem lor .ne a. spa
woman. have a more than academic interest
in the results Of the Hythe conference !.
ing which would take the form of shifting
land and others over to Germany-the United
States to be paid as fast as Germany pays:
any such proposition. which would be tanta-
mount to making this government the sole
be unfavorable. The allies will undoubtedly
be informed in due course that while America
to her war loans to Europe. she must decline
to be beguiled into any position which would
while France and England enter upon the in
fnitely more pleasant role of persuading Ger
many that they are her very good CONNER
cial friends.
The French troops which had been in
cupation Of Frankfort. Darmstadt and other
Hessian cities the east bank of the Rhine
evacuated the occupied territory during the
week. At the time of the departure of the
French troops a laconic and significant
read: THE French keep their word. Thus
closes incident which. though at one time
and England served in the end the excellent
purpose of bringing clearer understanding
between the allies as to future policies re-
The French troops served the purpose for
which they were advanced into German ter
ritory. To the proclamation issued upon
withdrawal might have been added "and pro-
pose to see that Germany keeps hers" But
then-that would have lacked certain Latin
subtlety of suggestion: And the French were
sure that Germany. even though she might
fail to appreciate. the. irony. of their farewell
speech. had attained to clear understanding
that the treaty of Versailles. at least. is
scrap of paper.
X X X X
Under the heading Foreign News Events
for the week should be noted the report from
Russia to the effect that Gen. Alexis A. Brush
LOFT former commander i'm chief Of the Rus
sian armies under the imperial regime, has