Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-04-22

Washington, &April 22-President
Harding yesterday declined to accede
to the request of the German Govern
ment to act as II nedie,tor with the AL.
lies on the question: Of Preparations
and to fix the amcunt the German
people are to pay.
At the same time the President ir
replying to the German 2praal, eX-
pressed conditiona!ly the willingness
Of the American Government to act
as an Intermediary between Ger
many and the Allies in bringing about
a resumption of negotiations for a
settlement of the reparations terms.
If the German Government, the
President said. would formulate new
proposals constituting a proper ba-
sis for discussion" he would consider
bringing the meter to the attention
of the Allies ''in manner acceptable
to them.
The Berlin Governments appeal
for American mediation TO avert the
contemplated cccrcive measures OF
the French and British was delivered
to American Commissioner Dreisel
and immediately transmitted to
Washington, where it arrived early
Yesterday afternoon.
Secretary of State HUGHES took the
German note to the White House
about 8 D. m,., and discussed the
question of . reply with the Presi-
aent. 1t lid not take them long. to
decide that the United States could
not accept the position of umpire be-
tween a ration with which it still is
1t war lrl the ratons with which it
was associated in the war. Seere-
tary Hnrhns returned to the State
DeJar mert ard dispatched bis reply
to the Berl.1 office through the
American commission.
The action of the President and
The Secretary Of State conforms TO
the lines laid down in the previous
Hughes note to Germany. In that
communication MIR. Hughes SAID
that, the United States stands with
the Allies in holding Germany re-
sponsible for the,war AMI bound TO
nay rcparation to the full extent of
it's ability, fairly md Justly deter
mined.
That the Harding Administration
does not approve the reparatlons
forms ;mposed on Germany by the
Allies is apparent. Otherwise there
would he no suggestion from Wash
;nrton Of a renewal Of the negotfa-
tions ard new proposals by Ger
many. -,
Al the same time. it is clear the
Administration believes Germany
oncht TO accept the obligation to pay
far greater amount than it has up
to date.
The Administration contemplates
sending representative to par'lc'-
pate in the Preparations Commission
meetings and threby would regain
a voice in determining the amount
.of the reparations if thu. negotiations
should he reopened.
The Administration view IS tna'
the United States should be repre-
sented in the reparations and othe'
commissions dealing with economic
matters for tho purpose of protecting
further the interests Of this country
Reparations are regarded as Of dlrec'
concern to America for the reason
that the economic reconstruction 0,
Europe is dependent upon Just SET
tlement Of that question ami the pa!
-ment ot the Allied deot to the United
States and profitable trade with Eu
rope are dependent upon sneedy Eu
ropean reconstruction.
Berlin, April 22.-The text of tn,
German note to President Harding a:
given out here follows:
sIn the name Of the German Gov
e-nment and the German people tn
undersigned. notwithstanding tn
still existing technical state Of wa,
respectfully petition the President G
the United States to mediate in tn
reparatiors question and to fix th
s,Ss, to be paid by Germany to Il
Allied Powers.
"Tney earnestly urge him TO secui
the consent OF the Allied Powers
such mediation. They solemnly d