The New York herald., 1921-04-11
Military Action Against
Germany Set for May / if
She Doesn't Yield.
NEAR EAST A FACTOR
France Said to ePledged
Her Navy to Britain if
Latter Is Attacked.
NEW PREPARATION OFFER
'Vossiche Zeitung' Says Berlin
Has Chance to Checkmate by
Fresh Proposal.
NEW PREPARATION OFFER
ny RAYMOND SWING.

Special Cable to THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1877, bv THE NEw YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Berlin. April 10.
France and England made secret
agreement after the London confer
ence settling their major differences
arising from after the war questions.
which prepares the way for united
military action against Germany May
unless Germany makes acceptable
proposals TO settle the reparations
question.
According TO the Vossiche Zeitnno,
which is authority for this statement,
France in this agreement pledges to
Great Britain the fun support of the
French navy If Great Britain is at
tackled by an overseas Power. re-
nounces her independent policy toward
Russia and declares herself disinter-
ested in certain parts OF Asia Minor,
presumably Syria.
II this declaration is true. the action
made in Western Europe since the
war. The agreement Is defined here
as secret treaty in the form Of an
exchange OF memoranda so as to evade
! the appearance Of secret diplomacy
Brands Words Explained.
ri was this agreement, the Germans
say. which inspired Premier Brands
reference in a recent address in the
French Senate, when he admitted that
the Near East agreements had been
revived in England's favor because OF
certain compensatory interests"
Georg Bernhard in the Vossiche
| Zeitnn0 describes the agreement as a
| fundamental victory for Great Brit
| ain. which Is the fruit of recent Ger
fatuous attempts by the Germans to
| isolate France from her allies and as
sociates. But even the Tossiche
| Zetfaao does not deem the day lost.
| because Germany. IL holds, has one
\ last opportunity TO make clear pro-
posals as to how she win pay the
reparations.
| This will be after April 10, about
which time the Preparations Commission
| Is expected to notify Germany OF the
total sum and separate claims the Allies
have filed against her. The Vosstche
zeitung quotes an authoritative French
statesman as declaring that on this oc-
casion the Allies will give careful con-
sideration 10 what the Germans propose
and IL il Is acceptable will agree to II
| in principle. But under no circum-
stances will there be a new conference
with the Germans.
Warning to Germany.
rf the German plans for payment are
adopted in principle only, German and
allied experts would confer 70 the
best way to carry out the programme.
This same Frenchman, the newspaper
saws. warned the Germans not 70 re-
gard Premier Brands address in the
senate az an attempt to soothe the
French Parliament only. and predicted
that IL the Germans do not make new
proposals which genuinely represent
their actual ability TO pay. the Allies
would take action which would prove
Catastrophe for Germany"
Herr Bernhard criticises Dr. Walter
smons, German Foreign Minister. for
his American memorandum az having
, complained against France in the ear
OF Frances best friend which could
only have had the result Of openly ac-
knowledged loyalty to France.
The opinion appears 70 be growing in
Government circles that the proposal OF
DR.. Walter Smons tnat Germany as
sumo the debts Of the Allies TO America
may prove a now feature 70 make tho
reopening Of negotiations feasible.
Although there is no indication ot
what prompts this hope. evidently the
word has gone forth that America Is
interested in tho proposal and IS inclined
70 indorse IL with one radical alteration.
That ia that America Will have only
half the responsibility OF making Ger
many pay VIZ. The Germans believe that
II America is interested In this proposal
Il will be only on tho condition that the
Allies now fix for all time what In to
be demanded from Germany. SO that no
later bills for reparations could weaken
the value OF German obligations.