News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1921-04-06
VIvIANi WINS
HARDING SUPPORT
Only Condition Is "Fair and Just"
Decision on Sum Teutons
Are to Be Assessed.
BERLIN MUST AvoW GUILT.
Cabinet Decides Allied Loans Are Not
to Be WaiVed--France Asks Atti-
tude of America on Proposal
to Extend Occupied Zone.

Washiugton.-Mo Most pos tive assur-
ances that the United States is willing
to see Germany forced to acknowledge
responsibility for the war and COM
PEELED to pay to the limit Of her ability
to do so have been gwen Rene Vivi-
ami. former premier Of France, by high
officials of the Harding administration,
it was learned here.
A spokesman for the administration
assured a group of newspaper corre-
spondents, within few hours after
the cabinet meeting adjourned that any
contention that, having fought through
the war, this government did not hold
the position that Germany must ac-
| knowledge responsibility for the war
and pay to the nit of her ability to
do So was absurd.
The statement Yves repeated in vary
ing language three times by this
spoke sman. The only publication was
that the limit of Ccrmany's ability to
pay must be arrived at fairly and
justly" That was taken by some to
be the only restraint imposed Oh the
Allies
This attitude of the administration,
which will be at once Transmitted 70
The French government without wait
Ing the return of NJ Viviani, is be-
ieved by many here to be even more
than the dist npuished French visitor
hoped to obtain.
It has been the opinion of some eX-
perienced observers here that one Of
the most pressing quests <Of Viviani,
from the point Of view of tine, was
10 learn what would he the probable
attitude Of this country toward France
If and when the French would begin
the occupation of Germany This occu-
patton, scheduled to start May 1, I'M
less the German government shall in
the mean time have made some accept
able preparation about beginning the
payment of the separations. has been
giving the French Ministry concern as
to the effect it Light have on the
United States.
1t is pointed out that because Of the
temper Of the German answers, the OBJ
jections Of the. Br fish and Italians to
further occupation of Germany by the
French have been withdrawn, although
the wish to avoid such contingency
exists in the British and Italian gov
prnments 1t 5 said that the chief
fear of the French has been that some
protest might be made by this govern
ment, which might easily rouse the
Quilted British and Italian objections
and make Frances position very diff
cult.
Now that the Al.erican government
has clearly Indicated its attitude, the
only disappointing feature to the
French is that despite the v'gor and
of the announcement, Of
fciaIs of the administration tlatly re-
fused to make any formal statement to
this effect
The spokesman OF tho administration
quoted herein was begged by the
correspondents to permit
his name TO be used as the author Of
the statement, but he declined to per-
init even his department to be desig.
mated If his name could he used the,
statement would it is thought here,
base the most significant effect upon
IN European situation.
In this connection it was learned I'M
although official confirmation
was refused that a message has been
rece we'd indirectly from the Germans
making an effort to get this Severn
mcnt interested in the question of
and making some offers in
.hat connection. 1t was also earned
that an answer s. being
yr tten to thJt request and tidt this
luswer will be very discou.a-ing to
Berlin
All doubt as to the position Of this
with respect to coi pelling
iermany to ackuuN 'ge responsibility
or the wat and to Ntae eparat on to
he limit of her ability has been swept
,side.