New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-23
Cabinet Drafts a New
Reparations Proposal,
Which Will Be Report
ed to Reichstag To-day
'AnPeople Can Pay
Is Plea of Simons
German Note to Britain
Expresses Readiness to
Rebuild French Areas

BERLIN, April % (By The Asso-
ciated Press).-A Cabinet council
will meet this evening and to-mor-
row the German government will
make known its policy on the ques-
ton Of reparations.
DR.. Simons, the Foreign Minister,
made this announcement in the
Reichstag to-day in speaking Of the
willingness of the American govern
ment to transmit German repara-
tions proposals to the Allied govern
ments in a manner acceptable to
them.
The Foreign Minister said:
"The German government will
have to make a decision concerning
the establishment Of a basis for its
propositions. A Cabinet council will
meet tonight and tomorrow the gov
ernment will make known its policy
on the reparations question. The
government is convinced that in
drawing up this project it must go
to the extreme limits of what tho
German people can furnish in the
way Of reparations."
The Foreign Minister added that the
impression in foreign countries that
Germany had underestimated her own
capacity and her possibilities must
gradually be dispelled. In presenting
the Reichstag with the American note,
he said it had been received too late
for consideration by the Cabinet.
"The American government" the For
eign Minister said to the Chamber, "has
declined to act as an umpire, but it
has not declined to act as mediator
He said the governments statement
on Germany's appeal and the American
answer would be made Saturday after
noon at o'clock.
The Reichstag adjourned Immediately
after the Foreign Minister'S declara-
ton, as the government requested a
postponement of the debate until after
Dr.. Simons had made his definite state
ment Saturday.
growing since his return from London.
1t is based largely on his alleged "in-
activity or passiveness" in cnn- nction
with his conduct of foreign affairs.
President Harding's refusal 20 Of
ficiate as umpire in the reparations
controversy finds general approval in
parliamentary circles, which IN d large
measure have become reconciled to the
Cabinets unexpected action through
n c h n mt fAv,fc -
dunn tor bringing further German pro-
posals to the Allies in a manner &C.
ceptable to them.
Banking circles here also welcome
what is termed prospective American
indirect mediation, and while the bank
ers say they are not expecting any
measureable reduction in the indemnity
penalties, they nevertheless believe
that American influence will contribute
tangled reparations issue.
Shocked by Prompt Reply
The German newspapers are not sur
prised at the American governments
answer to Germany's note regarding
reparations, but they are somewhat
astounded by the promptness of the
reply. The Tageblatt, which is Liberal
in it's views, says:
despite the confidence the Germans
have in President Harding, his reply
was what many of them had expected
only further evidence of his sagacity.
Everything now hangs on the German
proposals"
The Vossische-Zeitung says the reply
was the only answer that could rea-
sonably have been expected. The Ma
tionalist organs assert that it only con-
firms their predictions, and reaffirms
that no nation and no government will
be willing to intervene between the
Germans and the victorious Entente.
Germany Offers Reconstruction Aid
LONDON, April % (By The Associat.
I'd Press).-Germany has sent a note
to the British government reiteratine
her complete willingness to undertake
reconstruction of devastated France.
The note, which came from the Ger.
man Foreign Office, was delivered by
the German Embassy to the British
Foreign Office this eyening.
Germany is absolutely persuaded
that it is unavoidably necessary. for
the purpose of restoring economic
peace throughout the world, that the
territories devastated through the war
.he note read. Until this is done there
will be danger that feelings of ,hats
will continue to exist among the ma
tions concerned.
Germany therefore declares herself
once more to be entirely willing to CO.
operate in this reconstruction with
all the means and strength at her dis
posai, and to take into account in re-
gard thereto, in every individual case,
each wish Of the power concerned as
far as is possible"
Would Build $4,000 Houses
The note proceeds to enumerate in
great detail the possibilities Of recon
struction, proposing, first, for Germany
to take over specined localities, either
as state undertaking or by directing
the work Of national colonizing and
settlement associations; second. to
undertake the work of clearing, re-
forestation, building and repairing
brickworks and works for the produce
ton Of chalk, plaster, cement and
other necessaries, and the delivery of
the necessary machinery and the build
ing materials from Germany; third, to
arrange. that all such machinery and
materials shall. auanate from Cerm.rv