The New York herald., 1921-04-23
HARDING WILLING
TO Be A MEDIATOR
His Policy Is TO Avoid Acting
as Umpire in Reparations
Dispute.
NAY MAKE SUGGESTIONS
Door to Arbitration Not Closed
If Widespread Pressure Is
Employed.
sptc4ot Despatch . THE WV ro,K nu.Alp,
New York Herald Bureau.
Mn chin zion. ID. O.. Anrfl 80

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. a., April -.
II became known to-day that Presi-
dent Harding would not be averse 20
acting In the role OF mediator be-
tween Germany and the Allies in the
sense merely OF endeavoring to bring
them together and inducing them 20
reach an agreement OF their own ac-
cord upon sum 10 be paid by Ger
many for the damages inflicted in tho
war.
| But il is the present policy OF the
Administration not 10 assume any po-
sition which would make this country.
or the President personally. the arbiter
OF the controversy and therefore re-
sponsible as an umpire for the de-
cision
Whatever may occur. it is certain
from the Developments Of the last few
days that the United States Il TO play
very large part, II not the leading
role. in the reparations settlement. II
is fully expected that Germany viii
reply to the American note, despatched
30 promptly by Secretary OF State
Hughes yesterday. with reparations
proposal which she hopes can be ac-
cepted by the Allies as a basis for a
resumption or negotiations On ths
amount or the indemnity. II Ger
many's offer meets the requirements
Il will AT once be transmitted By
President Harding 10 the Allies with
the suggestion that the United states
Is deeply concerned in the rehsbiiita-
ton OF Europe and hopes that the
repa arations conferences may be re-
sumed at once.
!. win BE- dirlcult and delicate hand
that the United states win have to play.
In urging an early agreement between
the contending nations tie opportunity
for making suggestions ss 70 the amount
OF tho reparations will always BE- pres
ent
II Is perfectly conceivable that n Ger
many assumes a more reasonable atti-
tuds regarding the amount OF moroy %
be paid 70 the Allies and n the Allies
accede to the wishes OF this country ana
reopen the reparst.cns negotiations the
time may co ne when President Harding
may be willing 20 make definite sugges-
tions, especially II IL becomes appa rcnt
that the conteEfine nations cannot get
together OF themselves. This, however. Il
step considerably IL advance OF any
thing now contemplated b. the Prcsi-
dent. n Is the hope of the Adnninistra-
tlon that such a step will not be nece--
sary.
Nothing Is further from the wish OF
the Administration at this moment than
TO take the whole controversy over bodily
and render an opinion or make a de-
ci,ion az an arbiter IL is the belief OF
the Presidents advisers that " such a
part should be played hv the United
states probably this country would in
cur the III will. 10 some extent at least,
Of both the Allies and Germany. A de-
cision OF that character would probably
be compromise between extreme views
that would please neither side. In any
event both sides would forever after
ward feel II their right 20 blame the
United states for anything they might
not happen 10 ike about the settlement
That President Harding, IN hts reply
70 the German Government irrevocabiy
closed the door 20 possible arbitration ~
the dispute is not believed 10 he proper
De-