The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-04-29
HARDING REFUSES
GERMANY'S PLEA
Mediation Rejected, but Way Left
Open for Germans to Use
Americas Good Offices.
WILL NOT BE THE UMPIRE
Refuses to Fix Sum Germany Must
Pay-Note Pledged German Gov
ernment's Acceptance of Award.
Asks Leave to Submit Case

! Washington.-Th Republic of Ger
many, in an appeal received at the
State Department, asked President
Harding to set the amount of repara-
lions Germany should pay and to "se-
cure the consent of the allied powers
to such mediation"
In a reply Immediately dispatched
over the signature of Secretary of
State Hughes, Germany was sympa-
thetically informed that the United
States could not agree to such course.
Americas reply to Germany's pro-
poSal follows much the same lines as
Secretary Hughes recent communica-
ton to Berlin with reference to the
whole subject of reparations.
The second note, however, is even
more emphatic in indicating the belief
Of this government that the demands
upon Germany have been incapable of
fulfillment, whereas in the first note
Secretary Hughes no more than indi-
Gated that this government would well
come reopening of the entire matter.
In the second communication he de-
clares that this government strongly
desires that there should be an imme-
date resumption of negotiations"
The following is the text of the Ger
man memorandum, delivered to the
American commissioner at Berlin for
transmission to the State Department:
Berlin, April 90 1921.
"In the name Of the German govern
ment and the German people, the I'M
dersigned, Notwithstanding the still ex-
listing technical state of war, respect
fully petition the President of the Unit
ed States of America to mediate the
reparatlon question and to fix the sum
to be paid by Germany to the Allied
powers and do eagerly urge him to Sc
cure the consent of the Allied powers
to such mediation. They solemnly de-
clare that the German government is
ready and willing to agree, without
qualification or reservation, to pay to
the Allied powers, as reparation, such
sums as the President, after examina-
ton and investigation, may find just
and right. They formally pledge them
selves to fulfill In letter and spirit all
the provisions of any award that may
be made By him.
with abiding faith in the right
of this request, and with I'M
denable sincerity of purpose, the Ger
man people, through their constituted
submit their appeal to the
President of the United Strtes with
the confident hope that il be granted,
to the end that final award Hay be
made IN accordance with right and JUS
tice,t to meet lie heartfelt wishes of
all civilized nations, to avoid the i'm
consequences of imminent
coercive measures and to promote the
peace Of the world.
"FEHRENBACH,
"SIMONS."
Americas RepuIy
The following is the text of the re-
ply of the Secretary of State forward |
ed through the American Commission |
er at Berlin:
april u, 1921.
"This government could not agree to |
mediate the question of reparations |
with view to acting as umpire in Its |
Impressed, however, with |
The SERIOUSNESS of the issues involved |
as they affect the whole world, the |
government of the United States feels |
Itself to be deeply concerned with the
question of obtaining an early and Just |
This government strongly |
desires that there should be an imme- |
liate resumption of negotiations and |
-eiterates its earnest hope that the /
German government will promptly |
formulate such proposals as would |
present proper basis for discussion.
Should the German government take |
his course, this government Will con-
slider bringing the matter to the atten-
ion of the allied governments i'm a
manner acceptable to them I'm order
hat negotiations may be speedily re-
sumed"