The Washington herald., 1921-12-28
Premiers at Cannes May
Invite Two Powers
To London.
CZARIST DEBTS
FRANCES PROBLEM
Jockeying for Position
Independent of Steps
By United States.

PARIS. Dec. 27-The principal
subject on the agenda of the Cannes
conference is the inviting of Russia
and Germany to an economic and
financial conference at London.
Premier BRAND and Prime Minister
Lloyd George realize that Russia is
the key to the world problem and
the submarine question is merely
used by both for jockeying into
position. They will probably reach
an agreement at Cannes independent
of Secretary Huges.
France must insist or exacting
the last penny of reparations from
Germany unless the Soviet recog-
nizes the Czsrist debts to France
and grants privileges guaranteeing
payment. This will permit France
TO concede easements to Germany
which are vital to England as the
British cannot regain their former
trade prominence until German
commerce is resumed.
Owing to the deprecated ex-
change the outside world cannot
let Germany flood the markets, so
Russia is the sole outlet remaining
for Germany to exploit and develop
in order to earn enough to pay the
reparations and resume commercial
Importance.
Would Precede u. 3. Action.
Mr.. Lloyd George and NJ. BRAND
want to arrange a financial confer
ence at London before the United
States calls a similar meeting.
The United States is holding so
per cent of the worlds gold, but is
enduring hard times because IT caL-
hot eat gold. The proposition of
double tracking the trans-Siberian
Railway would be a choice plum
and the safest investment, accord
ing to acute observers. The allies
are jockeying to seize the Inc, but
the Americans are the logical peo-
pie to perform the job. II is be-
lieved, as they are able to provide
equipment and direction. This
would be a high card for the United
States hand n its future dealings
| with Japan II the railway connect
ing the Pacific with European muni-
tions and other markets were in
American hands, 1t is the view here,
The British are seeking to i'm
pose themselves as umpires in any
future controversy between France
and Germany and they will suggest
at Cannes that the Rhine bridge
heads be evacuated. promising aid
to whichever side is wantOnly at
tackled. The French oppose this
because England as the referee of
| European problems would regain Is
| dictatorship and balance OF power
stronger than ever. This Is another
reason why the submarines are held
as trading points at Washington.
Vote Brinnd Conadence.
Premier BRAND obtained a vote
of confidence in the chamber of
deputies tonight by 372 to 231 on q
refusal to permit a parliamentary
committee to investigate the failure
of the Industrial Bank of China on
the ground that it would interfere
with the judicial probe.
The vote automatically cinches N.
Eriand's liberty of action, and opens
the way for French participation in
a conference in London late in jan
uary or early in February which
Russia and Germany will be asked
to attend.
No further instructions have been
sent to NJ. Sarraut at Washington
but Qua dOrsay asserts that the
French are standing solidly for go,
900 tons of submarines unless guar.
antee treaties to safeguard tn,
French are consummated or the
minor powers agree to restrict sub
mersibles and Ito open their ship
yards to an international investi
eating committee.
The question of the United
| States obtaining defrayment for tn,
cost of the American troops in Co
blentE probably will not be taker
up at Cannes, as Mr.. Lloyd George
| is reported to be firm in demanding
the evacuation of the Rhine bridge.
heads in order to apply every penny
| to reparstions and reconstruction
The Spa agreement provided tina
the American occupationary costs
receive priority among the othel
allied contingents.
(Copyright, 1871