Evening star., 1921-04-22
Strongly Desires" Resump-
ton of Negotiations, Mr..
Hughes Says in Note.
U. S. Rejects MEDIATION
OFFER MADE BY GERMANS
This Country. However, Would
Bring Proposals for Adjustment
to Attention of Allies.

The United States strongly desires"
that there should be resumption of
negotiations between Germany and
the allies regarding reparation. Sec
retary Hughes says in a note sent
yesterday to Berlin refusing the Ger
man Request that President Harding
mediate in the controversy and fix
the sum Germany must pay.
MIR. Hughes reiterates the earnest
hope of the American government
that Germany will formulate prompt
lv such proposals as would present
a proper basis for discussion, and says
il Germany Will take this course the
United States Will consider bringing
the matter 10 the attention of the
allies
Germany's request that the Presi-
dent intervene as mediator in the
reparations dispute. received yester-
day through Commissioner Dresel at
, Berlin. was in the nature of an urgent
appeal in the name of the German
government and the German people."
The promptness with which Presi-
dent Harding declined to undertake
the role of mediator and umpire occa-
stoned little surprise in Washington
and was received with satisfaction by
the allied diplomats. The German
hotc "ds TAKEN 10 the w mite House
late yesterday by Secretary Hughes
and the reply went forward a short
! time afterward.
The answer contained Just laS
words. 1t said the American govern
ment could not agree to mediate with
a view TO acting umpire in the set
tlement of the reDarations dispute
but expressed the deep concern of the
United States with the question OF OBJ
tanning an early and just settlement,
and then suggested that Germany
come forward with just proposals for a
settlement.
I Germany Must Pay, Attitude.
| The United States is determined that
Germany shall pay to the limit of her
/ ability. This position has been re-
peatedly stated by officials of the
Harding administration and was made
perfectly clear in the American reply
to Germany's first memorandum to
Washington on reparations. received
! last March "a.
! Secretary Hughes told Germany
then frankly that the United States
/ stood with the allies in holding Ger
many responsible for the war and
therefore morally bound to make res
titution to the full extent of her abil-
! ity to pay. Germany. in the memo
! randum under reply. had admitted her
liability and said that she would well
! come an examination by unbiased ex-
perts. who would determine how much
she should pay.
Faced by the almost certain occu-
patton of more territory by French
forces on May I. Germany will lose
no time in accepting Americas offer
in the opinion of the representatives
here of both neutral and allied gov
ernments. Their analysis of Secre-
tary Hughes reply has convinced
them that while the United States is
anxious for a reopening of negotia-
tions ii mas no intention of bringing
about a situation out of which Ger
many may emerge with a greatly les
sened burden. They point out that
the best the United States has offered
il; to consider. bringing German pro-
posais to the allies lin a manner ac-
cep.able" to them.
No Signs of Negotiations.
Official and unofficial reports from
Paris and London have failed TO indi-
cate that any modification OF the al
lies demands will be considered either
at the meeting Sunday at Lympne.
England. between Pre,nicrs BRAND and
Lloyd George, or at the general rep
arations council TO he held early next
week. Germany'S desperate situati ion,
il is thought in some circles here.
Will cause her to accept the American
offer.
Copies of the American reply to the
German memorandum were furnished
today to the diplomatic representa-
tives here of the foreign powers. VINO
transmitted them to their govern
ments. Copies also were sent to
American diplomats abroad for their
information. Administration officers
continued today to withhold comment
on the correspondence between Wash
ington and Berlin. They took the po-
sition that Mr.. Hughes reply on be-
half of the President spoke for it,
self.