The New York herald., 1921-04-23

naming q total figure for reparations
snd anticipated that this would be
Included BY President Harding in his
message.
tive Versions Given.
. The German Cabinet in the absence
~ pr. Walter simons agreed upon
the total sum that would be offered.
There are two versions Of what oc-
Cured after this point One Is that
Dr. Simons crossed the Cabinet policy
ID Switzerland. where he was at the
time. and the other Is that the vatl-
can was Ia fact ready to communicate
the German proposals 70 Washington,
VIXEN In the last moment II was in
formed that the scheme was without
J chance of success.
II is even stated BY men in a posi-
ZION 70 know. that the figure the Ger
mans were ready TO name was the
$4,000. .oO0.ooo marks gold owed by the
Miles 10 the United States and 10000
100000 marks gold additional 70 be
paid at per cent in thirty years.
This is reckoned here 70 be approx
rstely 200 .oOo. 900. 900 marks gold.
The appeal TO President Harding for
mediation is regarded by political OBJ
servers here 10 be a play for world
public opinion, but even more cogently
10 German public opinion. II Is be-
lieved to be calculated 70 prove to the
German people in the event new sane
tions are enforced that the Cabinet
has taken every step possible in an
effort to reach a solution of the repara-
tions question.
The first knowledge of the character
of the appeal sent to President Har-
ding caused intense excitement among
all parties in Germany and was re-
garded with hostility. especially by the
Conservatives. The latter desired to
give vent to their feelings to-day In
the Reichstag, but the steering COM
mittec voted instead to close the ns-
cussion until tomorrow.
Principal Attack.
The principal attack against the For
eIgn Minister was on the ground OF MS
having completely surrendered Ger
nany's future to the discretion OF a sim
gle foreigner. But even the Conserva-
lives were not united and the more
moderate ones preferred 10 critc'se or'
Sinons for having bound Germany WITH
out submitting a question OF such far-
reaching consequences to the Reichstas
or at least To the party leaders
The wording of the appeal 10 Psesi-
dent Harding also was found 10 De OF
fensive by the Nationalists. But attcr
the excitement had blown over the opin-
ion gained ground that DR.. Sirnons pos-
! sibly was acting upon moro Information
than he was making public
There has been a great change IN
TIE attitude OF certain business interests
which were previously rather denant
They are now impressed by the Entente
Z plans to expropriate private property
I oven in the newly occupied territory and
l to institute participation In German
I. Industries. Heretofore the opinion was
I that private corporations would be free
( TO do business as usual no matter what
1 political changes might take place.
SPOKE to-day to several prominent Reich
stag leaders of various parties and found
1 them to be in mood of profound dis
couragement Also, there was severe
criticism Of the Government for Its ar
bitrary insistence on secret diplomacy
Even leading members of the coalition
i and members OF the Foreign Affairs Com
. lfittee Of the Reichstag. when Informed
i'iate this afternoon OF the appeal to
President Harding, complained that since
( the Reichstag was established It's MEM
/. bers had never been kept In such total
fxnorance as TO what the Government
was undertaking.
f,s Rumors are abroad again that Dr.
Simons has stated he would resign. and
iiDr. Wilhelm Mayer Won Kaufbeuren.
!, Ambassador to Paris DIR. Rosen. Min
( lster 10 The Hague, and Or. Won Rosen-
berg former Minister TO Vienna, are
mentioned as possible successors.
BIZ the Associated Press.
+ BERLIN. April 22.-Foreign Minister
Simons in presenting the American note
TO the Reichstag said that the impress
sion in foreign countries that Germany
had underestimated her own capacity
and her possibilities must gradually be
dispelled. "The American Government
J has declined to act as an umpire. but IL
4 has not declined to act as mediator" he
/, added.
4 He said the Governments statement
en- Germany's appeal and the American
answer would be made Saturday after
. noon at o'clock.
4 Banking circles here welcome what Is
. termed prospective American indirect
. mediation, and, while the bankers say
y. they are not expecting any measurable
reduction in the indemnity penalties,
( they nevertheless believe that American
influence will contribute largely to an
early adjustment of the tangled repara-