New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-07
he deliberations upon these aues-


in the Allied Supreme Council, 1t is he
heved here tonight, the various deci.
ATOMS of the Council which have ad-
varscsy affected American interests,
particularly in the question Of man
dates, will be reopened and decisions
favorable TO this country will be sub
stlsuted for those already on record.
Ia the Zap controversy, it is pointed
out, this is practically assured in adj
vance. There is no string to American
participation in the Supreme Council
no suggestion that Colonel Harvey will
be the "unofhcial" representative. He
will represent President Harding off
ciaIiy, and will have not only the func-
tlons of an observer, but also of q
spokesman. More important, on the
question of mandate and other deci-
siosls he will have one of the Ave votes.
Colenel Harvey, as the representative
81 President Harding on the Supreme
Council, will not, of course, be able
to bind the United States TO any course
of action. This was mentioned by
Administration spokesman to-day, but
it is pointed out that no member of the
Supreme Council can bind his govern
ment. AS a matter of practice, of
course, ne member Of the Supreme
Council normally votes in q way which
has not the approval of his government.
Lloyd Georges vote does not bind the
British government, nor Brands the
French, but they make q practice of
being sure of their ground before vot-
ing. On all important questions Col
onel Harvey will have ample cable adj
vices from President Harding and Sec
rotary Hughes.
Harding and Hughes, it is thought,
will not decide on any radical step
without knowing, unofficially at least,
that such step is not likely to be
disavowed by any joint resolution of
Congress.
AT present, two of the four Allied
nations, Britain, France, Italy and
Japan, stand committed to- this coun-
try's side on the question presented
by President Harding on zap. These
are France and Italy. Two have not
answered, Britain and Japan. Even if
IT should be assumed that Great Brit
ain would vote with Japan, the Amer
lean contention, when this country's
vote is added to the Supreme Council,
would be sustained by vote of to
g.
1t is not assumed here, of course,
that Britain would vote against the
United States. 1t is understood, from
sources of information usually excel
lent, that the ideo of this addition of
the American vote leaving no posi-
bility of Japan's contention being sus-
tanned, was at least limited about in
certain conversations which have en-
anated from British sources.
This is believed to be the line of rea-
soning on which the Administration, at
first strongly holding out for right
Ing or what is regarded as being the
wrongs done American rights on Yap
and Mesopotamia before it could re-
sumo participation in the settlemen
OF postwar problems, has decided to
go In prior to the final conclusion of
these mandate questions.
o. S. Vitally Affected
Overshadowing every other consider
alton, however, is the deep conviction
Of President Harding and Secretary
Hughes that American interests are
vitality affected by all the settlements
OF the Supreme Council and Renara-
tions Commission. The President and
next TO impossible to obtain a return
to normalcy in American business con-
dlt1ons-ln short, restoration of good
times in this country-until there has
been a settlement of the PREPARATIONS
question. Until Germany has agre ed
to some Preparations terms, has settled
down to productive work and has be-
Soi iAethiiS Iep&IaClOHS payments,
American trade cannot be normal, they
believe.
Withca voice end vote in the Su-
preme Council, the President and Mr.
Hughes believe, America can do what
was attempted by this government in
the recent attempt to bring Germany
and the Allies into agreement on the
reparations terms. For it must not be
overlooked in this connection that
while the Preparations Commission is
the body WHICH has to do with fixing
the reparations terms and conditions.
the Supreme Council, as has Just been
demonstrated, actually takes a hand
whenever the Council considers it de-
sirable So that while this country is
represented on the Preparations Com
mission only by an observer, actually
this country has voice and vote in a
body which occasionally, on big cues
tons, directs the Reparations Commits
sion what to dc.
Actually, also, Mr. Boyden is to be
more than an unofficial observer. The
clause desires helpfully to cooperate
in the deliberations upon those cues
tons" in the American acceptance
shows this very clearly. No one here
believes but that Mr. Boyden will be
constantly expressing the American at
tlfude on PREPARATIONS questions, and
that he will be in receipt of almost as
many cabled directions from Washing
ton as he sends reports to this city.
Wants Germany to Live
= 1t is also regarded as very clear
what the general course of America is
4 to be on reparations. This govern
ment's representatives will oppose
every move the raal object Of which
they believe to be to crush Germany,
as against merely extracting the
utmost in reparations payments. This
government wants busy, productive
Germany, forced to pay to the limit
sef her ability to do so. This govern
ment has no liking for a policy of
crushing Germany SO as to make her
an ineffective military opponent.
Into this question, of course, comes
: the question of American interests.
The Harding Administration on this
score is anxious to have Europe on a
business productive basis, for the
Z simple reason that it wants Europe to
buy American products.
III II Germany is producing at full blast
she. will be buying literally American
cotton and other exports. If Germany
: is making liberal reparations pawn ents
to France and Belgium, those conn
tries will be buying American products
literally. This will result in prosper
lty not only for American farmers, but
for the railroads and for business gen.
orally. But if Germany is being
crushed tor military reasons, the Ad-