New-York tribune., 1921-04-24
u. S. oConsult
Allies Before
Its Next SteD
NO Action To Be Taken on
German Offer That Can
Embarrass the Premiers
i'll Compelling Payment
Hughes Works Until Late
Diplomats Prepare to Give
Proposal Prompt Atten.
ton When 1t Arrives
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, April 23.-With the
expectancy that the new German pro
posals or reparations would arrive
within few hours, the earnest atten-
ton of the Administration was turned
to-day to the problem of how best to
aid in getting back to normal.
Secretary Hughes remained at his
desk until o'clock this afternoon, ig-
noring the fact that it was Saturday.
At the time of leaving his Office. how
ever, there was no surety when the
mem orardum would arrive. Hints as
to its. contents, conveyed partly in
press cables and partly in official dis
patches from Ellis Loring Dresel,
American Minister at Berlin, were be
fore the Secretary.
One thing cannot be too strongly
emphasized, and that is that the Har-
ding Administration does not purpose
to take any steps which would irritate
or embarrass the Allies in their deal
lngs with Europe. That question was
settled once and for all by the declara-
tion that President Harding cannot act
as umpire" in this dispute. Unless the
terms of the new German memorandum
are such that the Allies are willing to
reopen negotiations this government
will not take any action which would
interfere in the slightest degrc with
such steps as the Allies, and particu-
larly the French, may take to force
Germany to terms.
Wants No Action Before May
In line with this it developed to-day
at the Capitol-as was forecast in The
Tribune's Washington dispatches i'm
medately after the arrival here Of
Rene Viviani-that the State Depart
ment did not wish the Knox resolution
declaring peace with Germany put
through prior to May l. This is the
date fixed by the French for further
military occupation of Germany in the
event that the German Foreign Office
does not begin making payments of
reparations before that day.
1t was the fear of the French that
with Germany might have a heartening
effect upon the Germans in the matter
of resisting payment Of reparations
and, similarly, a disheartening effect
upon the French. But, even more they
feared that the effect of such a step by
the United States might increase the
reluctance with which the British and
Italians viewed further occupation of
Germany by France.
Viviani admitted, when questioned by
Foreign Relations Committee Senators
at the dinner given by Senator Medill
Mccormick, that the United States Ger
tainly had the right to establish tech
nical peace with Germany, especially as
all the Allies had done so through the
Versailles Treaty. He seemed to think
that the old Section of the Knox reso-
luton which declared the interest Of
the United States in any threat at
world peace would be helpful, though
he did try to have it amended so as to
level j. directly at Germany, instead of
at ANY nation"
Section 5. however. was eliminated at
the demand of President Harding, so
that the delay in passage of the Knox
resolution now desired by the Admin
istration will bring the situation back
practically to where it was when Nivi-
ami arrived here.
Allies Informed of Movements
With the same guiding principle
of avoiding any move which might en-
barrass the Allied governments they
have been notified officially, as we'll as
informally through the press. of the
steps which this government has
taken in response to the German ap-
peals.
Similarly the latest German pro-
posal will be discussed with repre-
sentat;ves of the Allies and the views
of the Allied governments obtained in
formally, before the next move is
made.
Official Washington l. strongly
hopeful that the new proposals may
be of such a character as to permit
the resumption of negotiations be-
tween Germany and the Allies, with
an American representative sitting in.
There is strong fear, however, that
the words of DR.. Walter Simons, the
German Foreign Minister, before the
Reichstag yesterday. strong as they
were, and optimistic from the stand
point of getting back to normal in
Europe. may not be borne out by the
language of the proposals.
German diplomacy, in other words,
is still looked on here as being of the
same character as provoked the
famous note writing period of Presi-
dent Wilson. which stretched over