New-York tribune., 1921-04-28
Hughes, 1t Is Asserted,
Has Determined Not to
Submit Note of Berlin
to Allied Governments
Hands OFF, Policy
Expected in Capital
Washington Makes. No
Comment; Believes Or
iginal Plan Is Followed
BY Carter Field

"NA0AAAASH ON, April I(.-Occupa-
tion of the Ruhr coal fields of Ger
many by French troops seemed inevi-
table here to-day. The French are set
upon making this move with a view to
forcing Germany to terms, and while
at the State Department emphatic de-
nial is made that any official or un-
official word has come from the Al
Lied governments it is known that the
French and Belgians are utterly un-
willing to reopen negotiations with
Germany on the basis Of the latest
German proposals.
The opposition of France and Bel
GUM, it is believed by observers here
tonight, may result in the United
States refusing to submit the German
proposals to the Allies. This also was
implied from two important develop
ments of the day in official circles. One
OF these was the eagerness of the Ad-
mlnistration to. have public denial
made that it had taken up with Berlin
suggestion that the German terms be
modified. The other was that the Ad-
ministration took pains to give to the
press another strong intimation that
nothing unsatisfactory to the Allies
would be DONE
Washington Firm in Stand
Ths last hint was given by a high
Administration spokesman out of a
clear sky, before any questions had
been asked. He said this government
was standing firmly by the last SEN
tence of its memorandum, in which it
was said that this government might
bring new proposals by the Germans
to the attention of the Allies "in a
manner acceptable to them" Emphasis
was placed by the speaker on the
quoted words from the sentence.
Official Washington is more and more
inclined to admire the very skillful
maneuvering of the German Foreign
Office, rivalng the very best efforts of
Wilhelmstrasse during the long note
writing period preceding the entrance
of America into the war.
Extraordinary success has already
attached to the latest effort of the
German diplomats, it was pointed out
today, in that their proposals as sent
to this government for transmission
to the Allies have brought about an
apparent difference Of opinion on the
question between the British and the
French. This was disclosed in Berlin
cables saying that the British govern
ment had addressed inquiries to the
Germans as to a certain part of their
proposals. This is the inquiry which,
according to belief here, misled some
of the foreign correspondents last
night, resulting in a widely printed
statement that Secretary Hughes had
inquired of the Germans as to the
meaning of certain of the provisions
Of their proposals. No such action has
a hry+ yv,,0 0nt No
said on high authority, but cables this
afternoon indicated that the British
government had done SO.
British Nibble at Offer
The British, APPARENTLY, are at least
the French have spurned. The British
want to know just how the offer Of
money is going to work out. Opinion
here is that the latest German offer
is really intended as bait for the
United States, on the theory that
while the amount of principal to be
paid is smaller, the amount of in
terest to be paid during the forty
years is larger. Therefore the country
which gets the money Immediately
from the sale Of the bonds or from
proposed at London, but the country
which extends the credit--the United
States, as every one anticipates if the
plan should be adopted-wou get
larger amount of interest.
The French and Belgians, however,
would get less under the new proposal,
which may possibly explain the vigor
with which they spurn the offer.
The real underlying reason, however,
for the French attitude is that the
French are tired of note writing, tired
~ try, nf
inside of Germany of military prepara-
tons. tired, in fact, of trusting or deal
ing with the Germans in any way save
the only one which the French believe
the Germans understand-by brute
force. Hence, the French are eager to
move their troops further into Ger
many, seize the Ruhr coal fields and
hold on to them until the Germans
make at least a substantial beginning
on reparation payments.
Importance of Ruhr Seizure
The Importance of seizins the Ruhr
coal fields, as explained by students
of the situation here, is not generally
understood in this country. 1t is not
so much that the French want this
additional amount Of coal. Under the
reparations terms, could they be en-
forced, France would be getting from
Germany enough coal, together with
her own coal production, to supply
her needs. With the Ruhr fields in
her possession, she will have to sell
coal abroad, probably to Italy which
needs it badly.
But with the Ruhr coal fields in
French hands Germany is helpless. She
will have to come to French authorities
to petition for soal, or else close down
many of her important factories. 1t is
not believed here that Germany could
continue to SUPPORT her present popu-
laton within her boundaries if she
were prevented from getting coal from
the Ruhr fields and from importing
coal.
The seizing of the Ruhr fields by the
French, therefore, is not military ges-
sion. 1t is, placing knife against Ger