Evening star., 1921-04-24
THE STORY THE WEEK HAS TOLD

the Vatican, were felt" possible mediators.
but discovered chilly to the touch. Finally, on
April 20, the German government appealed to
the President of the United States ito mediate
the reparation question and to fix the sum to
be paid by Germany to the allied powers"
eagerly urging him ito secure the consent of
the allied powers to such mediation. and
solemny pledging the German government and
people to abide by the award People will hold
this opinion and that to the motives behind
the German appeal, but, motives aside, it should
have been evident to any but German official
that President Harding could not entertain the
idea Of acting mediator arbitrator.
The American reply almost instant. No
mediation, of But the United States
government strongly desires that there should
be an immediate resumption of negotiations
and reiterates it's earnest hope that the German
government will promptly formulate such pro-
posals would present proper basis of dis
cusson. Should the German government take
this course. this government will consider
bringing the matter to the attention of the
allied governments in manner acceptable to
them in order that negotiations may speedily
be resumed"
The last sentence is A little cryptic
Whatever it's precise mea ming, however. the
United States government obviously stands
ready to it's utmost efforts to get negotia-
tions started again. if Germany will submit
reasonable offer. But I take it the allies have
held themselves ready all along to give due
proper basis for discussion" which might be
submitted before May /. Even to the point of
suspension of the military action proposed for
May l, pending such due consideration; but they
will not tolerate mere delaying tactics. The
offer must be equivalent to the Paris program
with no jokers.
If no offer should be forthcoming from Ger
many, only offer patiently unreasonable, be-
fore May 1, then May 1 will be sad day for
Germany. French troops will occupy the Ruhr
valley and adjacent districts and levy heavily to
the reparation account. The developments of the
coming week promise to be highly interesting.
Let US hope for Germany's sake, that she will
not try any more bluffs. That cock won't fight;
that comedy is ended All, it is wonderful how
the whole world dances to our tune Never was
such thing since the world began. 1t is even.
to be sure, getting bit fulsome. Germany Is
acting in hot haste on Mr. Hughes suggestion
and a new reparation offer is expected from her
within day two. Presumably. copies will go
simultaneously to the United States and the allies
Nobody expects that the proposals will be entirely
satisfactory to the allies. All depends upon
whether they present "a proper basis for discus
sion." Now suppose that to the United States
government they to present such proper
basis. but not to the allies. Will not a new
kind of embarrassment be injected into the stu
alton? Paris does not exactly resent but she
regrets the last clause of Mr.. Hughes reply to
Germany. I had forgotten that little sum OF
twelve billion gold marks which Germany must
pay before May and the sundry items of Ger
man offending especially in respect Of disarma-
ment possibly, if satisfaction is not given
these heads (if not payment execution. at least
frst-class guarantees) the Ruhr basin will be
occupied. irrespective of reparation proposal.
But I fancy that If proposal presenting a
proper basis for discussion appears. the Ruhr
basin will not be occupied pending the considera-
ton thereof.
X X X X
RUSSIA cite a report which, like most
ports from Russia, do not knw whether to be-
lieve or disbelieve. Trotsky. addressing the
graduating class of the Moscow Military Academy,