The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-11
GERMANY SENDS AN
APPEAL TO THE U. S.
ON PREPARATIONS
Suggests A Re-opening Of Nesotia-
tions for . New Schedule

ted States as TO German reparations
is contained in an exchange Of COM
munications with German govern
ment officials made public today by
the State Department. They are in
the form of memoranda transmitted
through Lorring Dresel American
high commissioner at Berlin.
The German communication dated
March 20, was written by DR.. Wal
ter Simons, German foreign mini
ster and asserted at was "entirely
clear" both to the government and
people that Germany must make
reparations to the limit Of her abili-
ty to pay" but sought examination
by unbiased experts" to determine
the extent of her ability
In his reply dated March 20, Sec
retary Hughes expressed pleasure
at Germany's "unequivocal express
sion" Of it's desire to pay to the limit
of ability "and declared the United
States stands with the governpents
of the Allies in holding Germany re-
sponsible for the war and therefore
morally bound to make reparation,
so far as may be possible"
"This government" Secretary
Hughes memorandum said, "be-
lieves that it recognizes in the
memorandum of Dr.. Simons sin
cere desire on the part Of the Ger
man government to reopen negotia-
tions with the Allies on new basis
and hopes that such negotiations
once resumed, may lead to a prompt
settlement which will at the same
time satisfy the just claims of the
Allies and permit Germany hope
fully to renew it's productive ac-
tivities."
DIR. Simons' memorandum was a
lengthy document going extensively
into Germany's> situation and the
State Department announced that
copies of both this communication
and the American reply had been
handed to diplomatic representatives
of the Allied powers in Berlin.
In his memorandum DR.. Simons
expressed the Earnest desire" of
Germany to reach accord with the
Allied governments and the sincere
purpose to meet requirements as far
as possible.
"It is entirely clear" DR.. Simons
said, mot only to the government of
Germany but to the German people
also that Germany must make re-
paration to the limit of her ability
to pay"
The minister added that Germany
was ready to meet any proposal
which appeared feasible for the solu-
ton of the economic and financial
problems of Europe and sought ex-
animation by unbiased experts of
her ability to pay.
Germany Proclaims Honesty.
Germany believes" the memo
randum said ,"that a policy of dur
ess and correction will not bring about
the reconstruction of international
life and only by way Of peaceful dis
cussion and understandings can such
reconstruction be obtained. The
German government considers it i'm
portant to give, with solemn empha-
sis, the assurance that for its part it
is honestly willing to- follow the path
it has suggested"
DR.. Simons suggested that an in
ternational loan in favor of which
the Allied and Associated govern
ments would wave their general
mortgages, constituted the only So
luton of the problem. He declared
that Germany was prepared to offer
the necessary security for such a
loan, adding that it had been reiter-
ated that the situation of Germany
was better than that of any of the
Allied and Associated countries be-
cuse she had no foreign debts.
Germany would not be unwill-
ing" he said, "to assume the obliga-
ton of the interest and mortization
of the foreign debt to the Allied and
Associated governments and their