The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-20
US, May Have Envoy
At Spa Conference
BIZ DAVID LAw1XNCH,
(CopyrtEht BY The Inte1liIenoar.)

WASHINGTON. u. G.. May t2.-The
United States government may be OIL
icially represented at the meeting ne be-
tween the Allies and Germany at Spa
where II is expected that definite sun,
will be fixed which the Germans will be
obligated TO pay as war indemnity.
Although America has not ratified the
peace treaty under which the repara-
tions commission was to determine the
amount Of German indemnity and Amer
lea was specifically designated Tor
membership on that commission. a Ques-
lion has been raised here whether Il
would not be within the jurisdiction and
power OF President Wilson to appoin:
a plenipotentiary to sit In at THESE
most important meetings.
II. It is contended. the President could
appoint a commission TO negotiate peace
ne can appoint a commission or an en-
Yoy to discuss further with the enemy
the working out of the armistice. All
tho meetings thus far in europe nave
been between the associated powers ana
American diplomats have been unot-
fclal observers" without any oppor-
tunity to participate in the discussion;
Officials hero are getting tired OF tha
humiliation OF having European gov
ernments discuss affairs vital 70 tN,,,, !.
cricas economic welfare with American
representatives looking in through tn
keyhole." as one OF the treasury or
ncials phrased 1t.
Important Decision.
Strictly speaking, the President mas
an important decision to make IN con-
nection with the Spa conference. TOT
Germany really signed the Peace IreaSy
and consented to the YestinS OF Dig
powers in the reparations commission
on the expectation that America Woutu
be a member OF that body. The Presi-
dent asked Senator Lodge 10 cooperate
in approving the appointment OF an
American representative Tor INC ipSa tepSt
alton commission but the Repuolcan
leader published the Presidents letter
and took no further action.
II would not be surprising 10 find the
President advertising to this lncioent
again when he returns the Treaty Oh
Versailles to the senate Tor acu0h'
Cablsgrams from abroad within the lasS
week have told OF the various plans and
schemes which are being concocteo
abroad TO cancel or postpone the pay
mcnt OF the Allied de to the Inlteo
states. None Of these plans mas wv
slightest chance OF being accepteu
either by the executive branch Oh lne
T,ust approve any change in the e1ist'
ing status Of our foreign debt But. !,
is pointed out the United States couId
save the allies considerable time anu
trouble AMI many misundersIansut,S st ,e
would be avoided IL the United states
oo,,IS sit down at a table with the allies
coSAe ~ csrmans and assist in the econ
on,ic reconstruction OF the world; Ut
iay on the treaty has prevented TINS
thus FAR.
Views Of BArueh.
Tho allies must get around TO the
American point OF view expresses a. AZ
mace conference" said Bernaro ";
mission nssS today. -Taey must nx a:sean.,
ire md reasonable sum for GernMnf ~ ~
'trsax And when that To n1ed you viz
sss a revival Of exchanges ana re.
vivI OF production 'n'0uSn0O'
world" ,,,.,, u,as given
,ha liter by Norman Davis. another
nranctal export who went 10 par,S ~,
the United States government anu -,
Is assistant secretary OF the 'tFea'
IN ..rSs GSs, opiy nj way any apprecias;
H,,n, can be collected from Ger
SaOS" snid Mr.. Davis, us to nx
ac6nits and reasonable sum ana capi'S''
ise N by issuing Obligations. uo,
& OF course Sc seccpe secept these Obligations.
however useful they may be In sne &c.
SDarInr OF their own debts For.
Ear as the United States IS cohe's inns
she looks to France and Enghno 49,,
90 IN III aisturbed by the absurd suESes-
s,ons that the United states snoItA ac-
nt n~' Esrman reparation boHdS IN e&
.Sensc FOR the signatures and GuaN1n-
tsas OF the British empire anu =
rtx Reasonable SUM
,,otber'th thing. the viewpoint express
ed In treasury quarters here - tnAS -nnS ,',
Allies had better fi1 reasonaoIe reasons toLiv
for Germany to pay and do IL auaInIiy az,
iSs+ me amount that the Germans hnal-
" are able to pay dwindles tS reaso
NJ the very vagueness and uncerlaln,y
~ allied policy. Reports 10 our 80,
eminent from Germany snow ST.. ST. t,,S
onathy The Germans say Wnal = Nv
"Sc"Nyye must keep on paying tue Ies'
~ our uves-and we can't pay
In other words, a reasonable indem-
,,ty must be fixed that Will give tuc
Germans incentive, to- produce ano ST.
Stheryise tho allies will not coltect tns
money they expect. But the Sri.fsn 1.,sse' ~
French are being converted to that view
noInt and the purpose OF the prenmih-
srv conferences has been to arrange
program TO put before the Germans a'
Spa. .,a,. an, ~
the Spa conference or shaA $40 aS,,nr
associate In the war and ois creulso.
~ Europ.an governments take her sea'
snd exnreSs herself and lend her iniiu-
ence 10 the stabilization Oh Ine IhaiS. ~
OF the world. President WDson va
snubbed by the senate once OenSeotation
nn tSa Reparations Commission BUT tnat
Carnnoission was created by the treaty
t!nder International law and constita,
ton law the President can appoint an
envoy to discuss anythinss with Ger
many or. any other ,, Sogp e ouestion M
Hhsther In view Of the treaty hight "a
rhe senate he will consider IL advisable
to do so. His decision involves poin,
mora delicate than has arisen IN our
foreign relations since tho peace treaty
failed TO pass the senate.