The New York herald., 1921-04-27
Secretary's Conference With
Allied ENJOYS Follows
Two Hour Cabinet
Session.
ATTITUDE KEPT SECRET
Each Diplomat Is Received
Separately, Including
Those From Italy, Bel
gium and Japan.
u. S. WAITING DECISION
Administration VIII Take No
Step Until After 1t Gets
Views Of War Asso-
ciates.
U. S. WAITING DECISION
81 II. As,ociatsd Prcss.

BIZ the Associated PrcsS.
WASHINGTON, April 26-That the
United States in replying to Ger
many's counter proposals on repara-
tions would be guided almost If not
wholly by the decisions of the allied
governments as to whether the new
, propositions put forward by Berlin
were OF such nature as to form the
basis for further negotiations. was
clearly indicated by the course Of
events here to-day.
Secretary Hughes conferred with
each Of the allied diplomatic repre-
sentatives, discussing with them
briefly the German communication.
which was received early in the day
from American Commissioner Dresel
at Berlin. The foreign ENJOYS imme.
liately reported 10 their governments
by cable, and ii was understood that
he framing of q reply TO Germany
would await the outcome Of these ex-
changes.
As the allied governments were
believed TO be in possession of the
text Of the German proposals, it was
not thought that a reply would he
long delayed. 1t was suggested, how
ever, that exchanges between Paris
| and London might be necessary be-
fore final decision was reached.
No Intimation on Attitude.
II Secretary Hughes received from
the foreign diplomats any indication
Of the views Of their governments
with regard TO the counter PROPOSE.
tions, the fact was not disclosed, nor
was there any intimation as 10
how American Government officials
viewed them. There was some evi.
dence, however, that the statement
contained in press dispatches from
Paris that the German offer was he.
lieved TO be unacceptable 10 France
caused little, If any. surprise.
Discussion OF the German memo
randum is understood TO have occu-
pied much Of a two hour session to-
day OF President Hardng's Cabinet.
What took place in the Cabinet room.
however. remained a carefully guarded
secret. those attending declining 10
discuss the subject.
After returning 70 the State De-
partment from the White House, Sec
retary Hughes sent invitations to the
allied diplomats 70 visit him in his
office for a discussion OF the German
rF~I.x
out TO the representatives not only OF
Great Britain and France. but also OF
Belgium. Italy and japan.
Belgian Envoy First.
Baron de Marchienne. the Belgian
Ambassador. was among the first to
call on tho Secretary. Each envoy
was received separately and each con-
ference was brief. the series OF visits
being concluded within little more
than an hour.
While the United States desires that
the reparations question be settled with
all possible despatch consistent with
Justice. Secretary Hughes has made Il
rlain from the first that the United
states stands squarely with the Allias
in holding Germany responsible Tor the
world war and therefore bound to pay
TO the limit OF her ability. That state
n,ent was contained In his reply early
tits month TO the first German con-
aiunication.
In his response TO the appeal thet
President Harding act az mediator MI
Hughes told Germany that he would
consider bringing to the attention cf the
Allies such proposals as could form thc
basis for further discussion. II also T.
pointed out that he added to that state
mcnt the specific provision that tho pre-.
Fentation OF such proposals would be
in manner acceptable" 70 those go.-
ernments.
Should the Entente chancelors decide
that the German proposals are such as to
merit consideration. Mr.. Hughes would
inform the Berlin Foreign ONCE that he
was transmitting them, and negotiations
then could be expected TO proceed
Should tho Allies decide. however. that
the propositions were unacceptable as
ba ass for further discussions. Mr. Hughes
would be expected 70 inform Germany
that he could not present them. IL would
then remain for the Berlin Government
to come forward with still another offer
or submit TO the measures planned BY
the Allies for the collection OF the In
IDENTITIES heretofore agreed upon by
them.