The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-22
NOW NO Way OUT
GERMANY MUST
PAY INDEMN|TIES
Plea to q. S. to Mediate Was
Very Last Chance.
Even Vatican Refuses to Aid
Huns Avoid Penalties.
WANTS PARLEYS REOPENED
Hughes Says America Cannot
Be Arb:ter on Question.
Declares Washington Must
Have Say in Settlement.
Even Vatican Refuses to Aid
Huns Avoid Penalties.
WANTS PARLEYS REOPENED


Berlin. April 22.-German leaders
FASTENED today to revise separations
proposals to the allies. Officials in
dicated a number of plans were under
consideration but that it had not been
determined definitely whether new
offers will be made.
The American note refusing to have
the United States act as mediator to
determine reparations award, was re
ceived early today. 1t drew a large
crowd of officials and majority So
cialist leaders to the foreign office.
Won Simons Fight Center.
Foreign Minister Won Simons was
the center of fight which began last
night when party leaders met to dis
cuss the reparations problem. Won
Simons was attacked by Philip Scheide-
mann and Herr Helferrich for the
correspondence with America.
Scheidemann and the others held
that the appeal was hopeless and
could only bring further troubles on
the country.
1t was admitted today that the for
eign office had tried to induce the
Vatican to act as Intermediary in cor
re.pondence with America.
The pope declined to act, basing the
-efusal on the fact that he has no
diplomatic relations with the United
States.
Must Go the Limit.
The German government is con-
vinced it must go to the limit of its
ability in paying reparations, Foreign
Minister Won Simons told the reichs-
tag today.
Won ci,,ops x,,as r11es+ionad sharnIy
regarding his correspondence with
America in which he asked the United
states to sit as judge to make the
indemnity award.
Americas answer must not be con-
sidered a final REFUSAL the foreign
minister declared.
before and after the reichstag ses-
sion, Won Simons was criticised by his
own party leaders as well as by po-
litical opponents. A cabinet meeting
was called for the afternoon to review
the whole reparations subject.
Harding Last Chance.
Il undertook the note to President
Harding as the last chance" Won ST.
mons said. 'All other paths were
closed. Feelers extended to learn
what the entente would do in the way
of a loan, met only failure.
THE government is convinced it
must go the limit of its ability in rep
arations proposals. The world be-
licNeS we are Understanding our
ability to pay. This belief will grad
uaiy disappear.
In the meantime, we must not be
led into promising payments which
We cannot make.
Germany's new plans will be laid
before the reichstag Saturday. They
will be shaped tonight and tomorrow
morning at the session and at a seS-
sion of party leaders at Wilhelm
strasse.
A note offering to begin reconstruc-
tion in the French devastated regions
was sent the reparations commission
in Paris today.
United states to Have Last Say.
Washington, April 22.-Phe United
States will have deciding voice in
determining to what extent Germany
shall pay for the war.
This was the conclusion in wash
ington today following publication of
the German note appealing for Pres1-
dent Harding to mediate the repara-
tions question and Secretary Hughes's
reply rejecting the appeal, but urging
immediate reopening of negotiations
y between the allies and Germany for a
settlement of the problems.
Allies Must Accept.
. The allies and Germany, it is
= thought. will be forced to accept the
views and principles of the United
States in the settlement.
AS the next important step by the
United States in the reparations situa-
ton. it is believed that Hughes will
instruct either Ambassador Wallace
at Paris or Roland w. Boyden, the
unofficial American representative on
the repara tions commission, to take
part in the coming deliberations OF
the allied supreme council on GER
many's failure to meet the reparations
demands. Hughes is known to believe
that at least unofficial American rep
resentation in the settlement of these
questions is desirable in order that the
United States may be kept INFORMED.
Germany also is expected soon TO
submit new reparations proposals to
the allies. and these proposals prob
ably will he sent to the United States
for this governments approval.
Failed to Split Allies.
London, April 22.-The British press
today rejoiced that Germany has
failed to split the allies
Before Americas reply to the Ger
man appeal for mediation had been
received here. newspapers predicted
Secretary Hughes would reject it.
Germany's eleventh hour appeal
created a sensation. 1t was de-
nounced in practically all newspapers.
Meantime, preparations for the al
lied conference at Hythe went ahead.
Will Upset All Plans.
Paris. April 22.-French officials
were frankly disappointed today at
the tone of Americas refusal to me-
diate in the reparations dispute.
France had hoped for a brusque de-
NAL of the German plea.
at will. seriously disarrange the al
lied plans-especially our plans" a
high official declared. 'It may cause
changes in the military action
planned"