The Washington herald., 1921-05-04
U.S.. EXPECTS
SECOND OFFER
FROM BERLIN
Believes New Terms Will
Prove Basis for Con-
ference.
FRENCH ATTITUDE
is ONLY BARRIER
American View Gains De-
lay in Plans for
Collection.


poets Germany to. make a new rep
arations proposal to the allies di-
rectIy and has reason to believe
that IL the offer is a reasonable one
the drastic collection measures con-
templated will not be carried out
pending further negotiations.
This was learned yesterday in the
course of comment in Official quar-
tiers on Secretary Hughes note in
forming the Berlin government that
it's proposals OF April 2i afford no
basis for discussion and urging the
direct submission to the allies of
clear, definite and adequate pro-
posals."
Secure Postponement.
Indications are not wanting Fhst
the attitude of the United States
was responsible to an important de-
gree in impelling the allies to post
pone the showdown with Germany
until May IL. The Administration
took the position that Germany
should be given an opportunity TO
submit another offer and this view
undoubtedly impressed the allies.
particularly in connection with the
further consideration that a denial
of such opportunity to Germany
might tend to ALLEVIATE American
sympathy from the allied cause.
The American government, IL was
authoritatively stated, has no SYM
pathy with the view that the way
to deal with Germany Is to destroy
it's economic life. According to the
official American viewpoint the
whole reparations problem is q
question of a Germany PROSTATE,
unable to get up and unable to pay.
or a Germany that is able to get up
and able to pay. President Hard
ing and Mr.. Hughes have declared
in favor of a settlement which viii
not leave Germany PROSTATE. but
able to produce and 10 pay.
-Tsk<s Irsse VIVA France.
While detailed expIication Of this
attitude was not available II Is in
ferred fhat-the administration takes
issue with the view held particular
ly i'm France that regards with
equanimity the prostration of Ger
many industrially and economically.
Taking this position, the Harding
administration. II is inferred, is op-
posed to the occupation of the Ruhr
manufacturing district which would
tend to cripple Germany industrial
ly. Whether the administration
also holds that he exaction of
$4,000. .ooo, 900 would leave Germany
PROSTATE is not clear. II is appar-
ent, however, that the administra-
tion believes Germany should ac-
II L. ~
ing those laid down by the allies.
There is good ground for believing
that the allies have indicated their
willingness to modify the terms
somewhat IL Germany should mani
fest a disposition to accept a COM
promise based on the payment OF
mands than the $4,000, ,0o0, 900 Ber-
lin has offered to pay.
Moreover. the allies have been
given assurances that the Washing
ton government desires to partici-
pate in the work Of the reparations
for the purpose of pro-
American interests in
permanent settlement of the repars-
tions question. American repre-
sentation in the reparations COM
would make the United
States "a party to the enforcement
Of the reparations terms, an end
greatly desired by the allies.
U. $. 70 Participate.
1t may be taken for granted.
therefore, that the allies are in
spired with a desire to promote the
fruition Of this purpose of the
Harding administration and will do
nothing to antagonize the United
States in dealing with the repara-
tions question. II is doubtless the
result Of the assurances given by
Of State Hughes that all
lied statesmen. according to cable
intimsted that the
United States would be invited to
participate not only in the repara-
preme council.
The desire of the administration
to participate in the reparations
is based on the convic-
ton that the extension of Ameri-
can commerce with Europe and the
Of the allied debt to the
States are dependent upon
the economic reconstruction Of Eu-
rome and the economic recovery Of
is dependent upon a repara-
tions settlement which will provide
for an orderly and steady discharge
of Germany's obligations. Such q
OF German obligations
can be assured according to the
adm. nistration view, only by a pro-
ductiye Germany unhampered by
the occupation by the allies Of the
most complete German industrial