Evening star., 1921-05-03
j. s. REPLY CLOSES
GERMAN INCIDENT
Officials Say Note to Berlin,
Sent Unexpectedly,
Speaks for Self.

In urging Germany to make at once.
directly to the allied governments
adequate proposals on reparations
the American government was be-
lieved by the allied diplomats here to
have definitely closed the reparations
incident so far as the United States
was concerned.
Administration officials declined to
comment on the communication, say
ing that it spoke for itself. Nor
would they indicate the considera-
tions which caused it's dispatch some
what Unexpectedly at late hour last
night. 1t was stated, however, that
action was taken without any COM
munication having been received from
the allied supreme council at London.
Hope Not Yet Given I'm
The State Department has been kept
informed as to events in the supreme
council and it had become evident
that the German proposals were un-
acceptable as basis for discussion.
That view had been taken by France
and Belgium from the first.
The United States apparently has not
yet given up hope that a final settle
ment will be reached by discussion.
thus avaiding coercive measures
which. in the view here, would be
likely to be attended by economic con-
fusion. Officials will not say, however,
whether the United States will con-
sent to sound out the allied govern
ments with regard to further German
proposals.
Error in Copy Given Out.
It developed today that the copy of
the American reply to Germany as
given out at the State Department last
night contained phrase which had
been deleted from the original as sent
20 fhn 1i,
patched to Berlin, the second sentence
read: I'm reply (to the German memo
randum) this government states that
it finds itself unable to reach the con-
clusion that the proposals afford a
basis for discussion acceptable to the
public there was added to this sentence
the phrase "and that these proposals
cannot be entertained"
Action Somewhat Unexpected.
The copy subsequently was correct
ed and UnderSecretary Fletcher call
ed at the White House early today
to assure the President that the
phrase quoted above had not been in
cluded in the communication as dis
patched. 1t was explained that the
phrase was repetition in sense Of
what the note said otherwise and con-
seQuently was deleted as unneces-
Sary.
In sending the reply last night, Sec
retary Hughes apparently acted some
what Unexpectedly. President Hard
ing was at the theater during the
evening and Undersecretary Fletcher
called there to see him just before
II o'clock. Later he visited the White
House and presuma bly, laid the draft
before the President 1t was approved
and Immediately afterward put on the
cable, while copies of it were made
available to the press
The text of the note follows:
The government of the United States
has received the memorandum left by
DR.. SimonS with the commissioner of
relating to reparationS. In reply this
government states that it finds itself
unable to reach the conclusion that the
proposals afford a basis for discussion
acceptable to the allied governments.
This government therefore again, ex-
pressing its earnest desire for a prompt
settlement of this vital question. strong
ly urges the German government at once
to make directly to the allied govern
ments clear, definite and adequate pro-
posals which would in all respects meet
its just obligations"
Received in Berlin.
BERLIN, May 3.-The note Of Sec
retary of State Hughes to the German
government, replying to the German
counter proposals on reparations, was
delivered to DR.. Simons. the foreign
minister, at 1870 o'clock this morn
ing by Loring Dresel, the American
commissioner here
LONDON. May 3.-Premier BRAND
read the text of the note sent by Sec
retary Of State Hughes to Germany,
urging that country to make clear
definite and adequate proposals to the
allied governments while at break
fast this morning. He said he was
greatly pleased with the note.
PARIS. May 3.-Offcial circles here
expressed the greatest satisfaction
today over the reply of Secretary of
State Hughes to the German govern
ment on the latter's reparations pro-
posals.