The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-26
ASK NEUTRAL
BODY SETTLE
PREPARATIONS
Germany Suggests Unbiased
Commission in Note to
Washington - Pledges To
Accept Decision.
ASSERTS GOOD FAITH
fBy Associated Press)

EEI6LIN, April Zb.-An arOllraIlOH
proposal by Germany for determining
the total amount due from her on
reparauons is contained in the repa-
rations note forwarded to Washing
ton A cla use in this note says: Ger
many suggests the appointment of an
unbiased commission to fix the total
sum of her war reparations, which
she pledges as binding and to carry
out in good faith
Germany, adds the note, would well
come any suggestion from the Ameri-
can government for further negotia-
tions or for cha nges in the present
proposals.
with the acceptance of these pro-
posals," says the German note, Ger
many's other reparations and obliga-
tions will be annulled and all German
private property in foreign countrie
be released"
Pledges Good Faith
AS evidence of her good faith. says
the note. Germany is prepared imme-
diately to place at the disposal of the
reparations commission 150,00o,000
marks in gold. silver and foreign ex-
change, and 10000, 900 gold marks in
treasury notes. redeemable within
three months. in foreign exchange or
foreign securities.
The note to the Washington govern
ment embodying the German propos-
ais was made public here this after
noon.
Germany, continues the note,
takes upon herself the obligation to
recognize as binding the decisions OF
an international committee Of experts
upon her capacities
IF it is believed by the American
government that another form Of pro-
posal would make the matter easier
to handle, the German government
asks that it be notified Of the points
on which modification appear deslr-
able to the American government.
Welcomes Suggestions
"The German government also
would welcome any suggestion from
the American government. The Ger
man government is too deeply con-
yinced that the peace and well being
Of the world are dependent upon
speedy, moderate and just solution of
the reparations problem not to do
every thing possible so that the United
States shall be in a position to present
the matter to the allied governments.
Germany in her new reparations pro-
posals declares that the present pro-
posals are only capable OF being car
ried out if the system Of penalties
now in force is discontinued forth
with: that she is freed OF all unpro-
ductive outlays now imposed on her
and that she be given freedom of
trade.
Dr. Walter Simons was prepared to
go before the Reichstag and read the
text Of Germany's reparations pro-
posals today. He was to have dis
closed Germany's terms yesterday but
declared they could not be discussed
until the receipt of the German note
to the allies had been acknowledged
by the United States government
through which they are being forward
ed to the entente. In addition to the
details of the German proposal the
foreign minister was expected to
make statement covering the gene
sis of the government action in in
voking the aid of Washington.
Communists and Nationalists at
tempted to interpellate members of
the ministry in the Reichstag yester
day respecting the government for
eign policies but failed to provoke
reply from DR. Simons. The German
press is not infomed as to the German
terms publishing only conjectural
news and Withholding comment. Pro-
fessor Otto Hoetzsch, speaking for the
National peoples party, yesterday
charged the cabinet with lack of
national dignity" in the conduct of
foreign affairs.
WASHINGTON, April 26-The Ger
man counter proposals on reparations
were discussed at length today at the
regular meeting Of President Hard
ings cabinet, but If any decision was
reached the fact was carefully con-
cealed.
Those attending the meeting main
tanned absolute silence on the subject
and would not say even that the Ger
man communication was taken up. 1t
was known. however. that Secretary
Hughes laid it before the President
and his advisors.
Just before the cabinet met an
was made at the state
department that the memorandum
from Berlin had been received during
the night 'in fragments and was
then under consideration by Secretary
Hughes.
Although official comment was with
held the impression was gained that
the German proposals had produced a
favorable impression. Pending the
outcome of the cabinet discussion,
however, even suggestions as to the
probable course of the United States
in dealing with the German communi-
cation were carefully withheld
1t was understood that the counter
were substantially as out
lined in presS deSDatches from Rer.
lin with an offer of the payment of
200 600. 100000 gold marks as against
the 226,00o 200, 900 demanded by the
allies.
It Is the intention Of Secretary
Hughes, it is understood. to study the
carefully before making
thana nllhlic He will alsa xz<,l.a l.l.x