New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-24
Berlin Dodges
Order of Allies
TO Shift Gold
CONTINUED from paue ono,


CONTINUED from naoe sns)
agreement IN principle regarding So
luton of the problem of rcparations.
That ia why it (the German govern
ment declares itself ready to take i'm
med'ately and before May all legal
measures necessary with view to ex-
tending the validity of tho said provi-
sion until October l. 1921.
"Thc German governments considers
this proposition constitutes an equiva-
lent, satisfying the interests of both
parties, of the course contemplated by
the Reperations Commission. 1t is nee
cssary, in the first place, to take into
account the objection that the Reichs-
bank, as private institution. is en-
tirely autonomous and indene ndent of
the administration Of the state finances
IN handling its private property. par
ticularly its metal reserve.
Even formally maintaining it's prop
erty right in the Rcichsbank would not
meet this difficulty. Furthermore, the
measure would in no way serve the
ends sought by the Rcrarations Com
mission; that is to assure Germany's
execution Of her reparations obligation,
nasmuch as withdrawal of the last
gold reserve behind German bank
notes inevitably would cause a further
and the whole German monetary sys-
! tenn
Serious Crisis Feared
"The further marked depreciation in
German exchange thus produced woud
on the one hand bring about one Of the
gravest crises in Germany's economic
life and permanent weakening Of her
productive capacity, and on the other
hand could sensiblv affect the interests
of all foreign holders of German marks
and in general all of Germany's for
eign creditors. Won OERTzEN."
The second paragraph of Article 248
of the peace treaty reads:
up to May !, 1921, the German gov
eminent shall not export nor dispose
of, and shall forbid the export or dis
posal of, gold without the previous APP
prevail of the Allied and associated
powers acting through the Reparations
Commission"
This proviso was intended to prevent
Germany, should she feel inclined to
do so, from disposng of any OF her
gold holdings prior to final settlement
of the amount and method of her repa-
ratlons payments.
The Allied Preparations Commission,
on the request of the German War
Burcens Commission, issued an official
statement to-day saying that the note
transmitted by the Germans to the
British government yesterday concern
ing participation by Germany in the re-
building of the devastated regions of
France was intended, for the Repara-
tions Commission. and not for the Brit
ish government in particular.
Technical difficulties, the statement
declared, prevented transmission of the
note from Berlin to Paris last night.
1t said the German commission asked
that the explanation be made in order
that no political deductions might be
drawn from che fact that the note was
transmitted to England before being
sent to France.
Interest in u S. Note
The American reply to Germany's re-
quest for mediation, which reached
Paris too late for comment in. yester-
day. mornings newspapers, is dealt
with prominently by all the Paris Jour
nails this morning, the interest in it.
eclipsing even that in the Lympne con-
ference between Premiers Lloyd George
and BRAND.
president Harding and Secretary of
Stats Hughes saw the German trap and
were careful not to be caught" saws
the Echo de Paris. eff Germany makes
sincere proposals they will find us
ready to hear them" n
In signed article in LEclair. Emile
Bure, who formerly was Premier
Brands chief of cabinet and is now
LEciair's managing director, says of
the American note:
"The note opens the way to a guar
antee OF permanent peace, and gives
back to France the moral support which
President Wilson refused it,
In its editorial article on the
American communication the Figaro
says:
1.-THE United States invites us to
find speedy solution of the repara-
tions problem, and the French govern
ment must express clearly and con-
clsely what it wants"
Says Harding Avoided Trap
The Royalist newspaper IlAction
Francaise, edited by Leon Daudet,
says:
president Harding evaded the pit
fall into which President Wilson fell.
He refuses to be the umpire between
the creditors and the debtors. Prcsi-
dent Harding wishes to help us. but
upon the condition that we know what
we want"
Inc communist organ, Humanite
says:
marshal Foch and Premier BRAND
wanted to go to war, but America has
spoiled their little party. The repara
tlons question cannot be solved BY
the capitalistic regime" The Gaulois
says:
France will examine no PROPOSE
ton from Germany until the latter
pays the 1,ooo,o0o,O 900 marks duo March
70, and gives solid guarantees for
payments of the balance of II 900 900
900 marks due us May L." The
Socialist Populaire says:
I'VE consider American interven-
ton as the sole means of extricating
both the French and German govern.
ments from the tragic situation in
which they are entangled by their re-
spective errors"
Bond Given to Keep
COOlidge's Oyercoat Safe