The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-27
ALLIED DECISIONS
 ID GUIDE J. s. IN
 REPLY ID GERMANY
Hughes Discusses Proposals With Allied Ambassadors, Who Made Immediate Re-
 ports to Governments
Ry Associated Prcsa

Washington, April 26,-Events here today indicated clearly that the United States, in replying to Germany's counter proposals on separations, would be guided almost, if not wholly, by the decisions of the allied govern ments as to whether the new propo- sitions put forward by Berlin were of such nature as to form the basis for further negotiations,
 Secretary Hughes conferred late to- day with each of the allied diplomatic representatives, discussing with them briefly the German communication which was received early in the day from American Commissioner Dresel at Berlin. The foreign envoys im- medately reported to their govern ments by cable, and it was understood that the framing of a reply to Ger many would await the outcome of these exchanges.
 PROMPT REPLY LIKELY
 As the allied governments were be- lieved 10 be in possession of the text of the German proposals which was made public today at Berlin. 1t was not thought that a reply would be long delayed It was suggested, however. that exchanges between Paris and London might be necessary before q final decision is reached.
 If Secretary Hughes received from the foreign diplomats any indication Of the views of their governments with regard to the counter propositions. the fact was not disclosed, nor was there any ntimation as to how American efn q 4f1 ant nff fiets tstl fhan There was some evidence. however, that the statement contained in press dispatches from Paris that the Ger man offer was believed to be unac- ceptable to France caused little if ang, surprise.
 DISCUSSED BY CABINET
 Discussion of the German memoran- dunn is understood to have occupied much of two hours session today Of President Hardings cabinet What transpired in the cabinet room how ever, remained carefully guarded se- cret those attending declining to dis cusS the subject
 After returning to the state depart ment from the White House, Secretary Hughes sent invitations to the allied diplomats to visit him in his office for a discussion of the German proposals. These invitations went out to the rep Iesentatives not only of Great Britain and France but also of Belgium. Italy and Japan
 Baron D Marchienne, the Belgian am bassador was among the first to call on the secretary Each envoy was received separately and each confer being concluded within a little more thar an hour
 The German communication, which was handed 10 Commissioner Dresel Sunday night. began to reach the state depart- mo II .ate last night after an unex- plained delay in transmission. It arrived in fragments, and it was not until this morning that the last of it was re- eeYed. It was decoded and placed be- fore Mir. Hughes after he reached his of- flee.
 TEXT IS WITHHELD
 The text is withheld by the department for the present, at least, but it is un- derstood that the summary as given in press--n. .spatches today from Berlin cor responds very closely to the text as received here No official explanation of the decision not to make the rnemo- randum public was forthcoming, but un- officially 1t was explained that its pub lication at this time might give rise to the suggestion that the United States was endeavorlng to influence public opin- ion and thus place herself in the role of a guiding force in the controversy.
 While the United States desires that the separations question be settled with all possible dispatch consistent with jus tee, Secretary Hughes fds made 1t plain from the first that the United States stands squarely with the allies in hold ing Germany responsible for the World war, and therefore bound to pay to the limit of her ability. That statement was contained in his reply early this month to the first German communication.
 MUST BE ACCEPTABLE
 In his response to the appeal that Presi- dent Harding act as mediator, Mr Hughes told Germany that he would consider bringing to the attention of the allies such proposals as could form the basis for further discussion. It also Is pointed out that he added to that state- ment the specific provision that the of such proposals would be in a manner acceptable to those gov ernments.
 Should the entente chancelories decide that the German proposals are such as 10 merit consideration, MT. Hughes would inform the Berlin foreign office that he was transmitting them. and that nego- tiations then could be expected to pro ceed Should the allies decide. how ever, that the propositions were unac- as a basis for further discus sions. MT Hughes would not be expected to inform Germany that he could not pre- sent them It would then remain for the Berlin government to come forward with still another offer or submit to the measures planned by the allies for the collection of the indemnities heretofore agreed upon by them
 
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