Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-22
HARDING REJECTS
GERMANS REQUEST
TO ACT AS MEDIATOR
Ready to Accept Decision on
Reparation Amount, Berlin
Assures Him.
ATTEMPT TO PART ALLIES


10 mediate the reparation question ana
ure!ng him to procure the assent OF
IN Allied Powers 10 that end.
secretary of state Hughes spent some
tipr with the President in afternoon.
y,tehinE the elements involved in the
German request. and then sent a
pr,npt reply to the Berlin Government
informing il that the United States
Government could not agree TO mediate
th, question of rCparatiOus with a view
L, acting as umpire in its settlement
Both the German communication ana
tn American Governments reply We're
formally made public 10y the state DC
partment last night.
In refusing 10 undertake any media-
ton that would place the United states
IN the role Cf acting as umpire hetWeeh
Germany and the Allied Powers, Secre-
tarv Hughes informed the Berlin au-
thorities that the United States Govern
mon, fully appreciated the gravity OF
Inc ISSUES involved and expressed the
deep concern OF this government IN the
question ot obtaining AN early ana
iIs. settlement"
m, desire Of the American Govern
mon. for an immediate resumption
II rerotiations has also been commun1-
,..3 IL the German Foreign ohice
WIN expression for the hope that Ger
many viii formulate such proposals as
would present a proter basis for dis
russ3on should Germany undertake to
follow tho suggestion Of the United
states. the government at Washington
wi stand ready TO bring the matter
10 tie attention of the Allied Powers IN
manner acceptable to them N order
that negotiations may speedily Dc re-
sumed.
Thus. while the United States Govern
nlcnt has refused 10 permit itself 10 act
rs an umpire in the controversy, 1t
sas paved the way for the preparation
81 fresh proposals by the German gov
trnment. The American Government
regards the proper settlement Of the
reparations question as representing the
rrux OF the whole present miserable eco
nouaic situation throughout Europe. and
believes that tho entire population OF
ne United States as going to be serious
3 affected II no just and lasting solu-
ton IS found for that problem.
The United States Government Is.
therefore. desirous that there be . full
and complete agreement upon repara-
tions between Germany and the Allies
a. the earliest possible date. is willing TO
participate IN any proper conferences
acceptable 10 the allied powers with that
and ia view, and stands ready to use
~ rood Offices and exert its efforts to-
xard that result. But the United
states Government, as stated by Score
AIRY Hughes. whose reply has the fuIt
,rr-oyai of President Harding, VIII not
rndcrtalCe 10 make an arbitral award in
no matter, for various good reasons
Ehich officials Of this Government con-
tlcr Is Re very apparent.
The latest exchange Of views between
Germany and the United states is al
most without precedent in modern inter
aational relations. Germany and the
n.ted States are ye- in technical
state II war and there are no diplomatic
relations between the two countries.
The German appeal. took the form Of a
mernora ndun delivered TO Loring Dres-
i the American Commissioner at Berlin.
yesterday. for transmission 10 Washing
ION. II was signed by Constantine
Fchrenbach. the German Prime Min
.ster. and DR.. VE.ltcr Sirnons. the Ger
man Minister or Foreign Relations.
secretary Hughess reply was sent TO
-ornrnissioner Dresel Tor delivery to the
German Foreign Office.
The German memorandum offered To
1,lace Germany unreserves1ly in the
hands of President Harding. if he could
obtain the consent Of the Allies for the
meditation ny himself Of the repartions
t.Iestior. and contained a solemn declar-
ALTON 10 the effect that the German Gov
.~nmeut are ready and willing 10 agree
without qualification or reservation u
lay 10 the Allied Powers as reparation
such sum as the President after exam
ination and investigation may find just
and right" II Is not the desire of the
American Government 10 occupy any
such role, however willing may be the
German Government, even if qualified
10 speak for the whole German people
for years 10 come, 10 accept an arbitral
award by the Government of the United
States.
The fact is that the United States had
Z ready definitely committed itself TO
stand with the Allies in holding Ger
many responsible" for the war and
therefore obligated 10 make reparation
u the extent Of Cermany's ability 10
pay. Secretary Hughes SO informed the
German Government in his previous
memorandum OF March %. replying TO
the Simons memorandum Of March %
which was delivered 10 the representa- /
ives Of the Allied Powers at Berlin By
Commissioner Dresel, by order OF Sec !
rotary Hughes. That action was a for
iual statement 70 the Allies of the posi- /
ron ~ the United States Government.
Wh5c the United States Government
is sincerely anxious that the reparations
question shall be settled as quickly as
possible and stands ready 10 do all that
il can without sacrifice OF American in
depcndaucc and without involnent Of /
tnls country in European political az
fairs. il prefers TO cooperate with the |
.Al.es in an earnest endeavor to reach /
a solution
IL is thoroughly recognized in Wash |
ington that if the United States was
10 act as umpire, even with the consent |
Of the allied powers to such mediation, |
both sides would have to bind them /
selves in advance to abide by such ar /
mtral award as President Harding /
might make and that any decision by /
him fixing the reparations sum some
what between what Germany 50 far |
has expressed readiness to pay, and /
what the Allies have been demanding, /
would be subject 10 such criticism as
would not contribute toward improve
-nent Of our international relations with
the nations Immediately involved
Secretary Hughes's reply is calculated
= leave no doubt in the German mind
nat the American Government feels
.bat Germany should present proposals