Evening star., 1921-04-26
Regard Proposal
As Way to Get
US. inParley
VIEWS OFLONDON
ANDPARLS READY
Expected to Be Sent
Here For Guidance
of President.
Ry DAVID LAWRENCE.

RY DAVID LA"HENSC'
Great Britain and France will re-
fuse to accept the new German pro-
roz.1 for the payment Of war IN
demnity.
Although the United States gov
ernment has not yet officially Trans
mitted the German note to the aiiies'
compiete copies Of the document are
in the hands of Prime Minister
Lloyd George and Premier BRAND.
Both the French and the BRUSH
regard the proposal as unacceptaoie
and as simply disingenuous way Oh
reopening the entire treaty OF 'er-
sailles with the United States as
party to the transaction
The new proposal differs from an
that have preceded in that 1T appar :
emily meets the sums asked by tne
allies. bu. under such conditions as 70
make it impossibl from the alileu U
yieWpoint to collect the amounts
promised.
Slate Wiped Clean
The Germans. for example. COM
pletely wipe the slate clean or all
propositions previously made and ap-
proach the subject from a new ang e
nv asking that all occupied armies be
withdrawn and that when the repara-
tion amount is definitely fixed there
shall be no more sanctions OF
penalties. This would mean the ao-
rogation of that clause OF the YER
sailles treaty. for instance, WhiSil Sa
provides for allied occupation OF the
Saar basin for fifteen years.
both the French and British gov
ernments realize the critical posi-
tion in which the United States gov
ernment has been placed by the at
tempt of Germany to use President
Harding as a mediator. The allies
feel that in justice to America they
should inform Washington in advance
their views on the German proposals
so that President Harding will not
fall victim to the German plan OF
ranging America agetnstz the allies
in the reparation controversy
Analysts Made In London.
Before President Harding or Secre-
tary Hughes actually consider a
course Of action the French and Brit
ish view will have been given. With
in the next twenty-four hours they
will have the Pull details Of the allied
position
Analysis of the German note has
already been made in London and
Paris. and our own diplomatic repre-
sentatives abroad know in general
way how the allies feel about it.
The German proposal starts out
with expressions of good will and
tone of hopefulness that America may
help solve the problem. Concretely
the Germans admit a. liability to the
allies Of fifty billion gold marks.
They. of course. cannot pay this sum
al the present time, SO they propose
dafa a.
period of forty years With interest
accumulating this would make the
total German liability about 100000,
10000 gold marks, or approximately
$50, ,000, 900. 900. To meet this situation
the Germans propose world loan.
Would Obtain Big Order.
Another thing, however. in the new
proposal which has aroused the indig-
nation of the allies is the suggestion
that German industries be permitted to
restore the devastated areas of France
under a contract between those indus
tries and the German government. In
other words. Germany would at once
give her business men a huge order
which would mean quick restoration
OF German industry and would prevent
the restoration of French industry. 1t
would give the Germans promptly a
revived export trade which would be a
splendid basis for her own reconStruc-
ton. If there is any restoring to be
done with German money, that money
ought, in the viewpoint Of the French
government, to 20 to French firms as a
means of encouraging French industry.
The term "fatuous" is applied by the
allies to these suggestions from Ger
many, and America will have no doubt
where the allies stand when their view
point is solicited by Secretary Hughes
either formally or informally.
Attempt to InveigIe L. s.
The French and British see in the
new German proposal an attempt to
inveigIe President Harding into the
role of negotiator. The last para
graph of the German document for
instance, is confession that the Ger
mans themselves know the reparation
proposal will be unacceptable. for
they ask the American President to
feel free 10 make any suggestions or
any notifications which he may de-
sire in the interest of a world settle
meut The Germans appeal TO Mr.
Harding in a way they believe will
also appeal TO American public opin-
ion when the text of the note is pub
lIshed. But the allies believe the
United States cannot act merely as
means of transmission and keep from
commenting on the proposals. The
French and British would like to see
America express a viewpoint that will
discourage the German theories of
friction between the United States
and her associates in the war. 1t
would not be surprising IL the change
in the situation did not cause the
postponement OF action on the Knox
resolution.
Trying to Reopen Parleys-
Briefly, the French and British do
not regard the new German note as a
serious indemnity proposal at all. but
"A cunning attempt to reopen negotia-
tions for a modification OF the terms
of the entire Versailles treaty. a pro-
posal made under the Impression that
President Harding is friendly to such
a revision and that the allies cannot
afford 10 turn down MI Harding's
suggestions. But the Germans are
mistaken The policy Of allied solidarity
las already been proclaimed and the
I nited States will give her moral sup
port TO the allies in the reparation
controversy. The Germans must a.
oept the allied proposals originally
iy.&6" ~ -ufvr furtSer occupation Of
territory en- May 1.