The New York herald., 1921-04-26
FRANCE HOPES U. S.
WILL STAND FIRM
Temps Calls on America to
Reject German Proposal
if Inadequate.
MUST OCCUPY RUHR
Determination of What
Teutons Owe Seen as Vital
Question to Clear Up.
MAY CUT TERMS LATER
How and When Indemnity
Must Be Paid One Of Prob
lens Causing Concern.
BIZ the Associated Press.

PARIS, April 25.--What is termed the
vital effect OF participation by the
United States in the reparations set
tlement and the necessity for occupa-
ton of the Ruhr region Of Germany
as guarantee for Germany's execu-
ton of any agreement entered into
is emphasized by the newspapers. All
the newspapers consider that the
coming week will be gravely impor-
tant.
The semi official Temps says the
United States has great responsible
ity, but that 1t hopes 1t will facilitate
the allied task by rejecting spontane-
ously. without even consulting the AL
lies unofficialy any German proposal
that manifestly is inadequate"
This newspaper outlines the Allies
problem as being divided into four ques-
tons. The frst, It declares, Is the re-
quremcnt that Germany pay the balance
CT the 10000. o.00O.o0o gold marks due un-
der Article 235 of the peace treaty. 1t
remarks that this is entirely separate
from the final reparations solution.
What is the sole means for collecting
this in the minimum timer asks the
Temps. which adds TT Is the seizure of
guarantee that presents the greatest
wealth. This guarantee, mono will deny,
is the Ruhr BASIN"
Continuing the Temps says: Under
Article 235, occupation OF the Ruhr is
imperative, beginning May !. The
French Government cannot concede that
point"
"The second question" the Temps con-
tinues, 'is the determination by the
Reparations Commission what Germany
owes Germany's estimate OF what she
thinks she can pay has nothing to do
with that question. 1t is for the Allies
later to determine to what extent they
wish to reduce the obligations, and when
they wish to do 30.
"The third question is how and when
Germany must pay. 1t would be absurd
to wish to decide to-day what will be
Germany's capacity for payment In ten
or twenty years"
The newspaper remarks that the
treaty provides for the Reparations Com
mission to act upon Germany's appeal
IL later circumstances should JUSTIFY
this
"The demand for a lump sum has
brought about the present crisis" the
Temps asserts. and adds, Let that les
son be sufficient"
Regarding question four. the Temps
says:
For nearly two years Germany has
resisted and evaded and the offers she
brings at the last minute under menace
of the occupation OF the Ruhr have no
greater value In her eyes than her sigma
ture TO the Treaty of Versailles. The next
Government Of Germany will say that
the offers were exacted by force and
that Germany Is obliged to keep her
word only as she believes she has the
means.
I'm this way the present crisis could
be repeated periodically until a war Of
revenge followed. The Allies ought not
to expose themselves to this mortal
risk They have right TO exact special
guarantees. proporftoned according to
the bad faith Germany has shown thus
far. and according to the evil designs
her actual rulers harbor
The Intrunsigcdnt declares that Amer
lean participation Influences the whole
problem profoundly but not enough,
however, to cause us to abandon the un-
derlying principle that German words
no longer suffice: that Germany must
add to them proofs OF her sincerity
that Is to say, guarantees"
The LAbefte CONSIDERS the occupation
of the Ruhr Basin as having been
adopted in principle. but says Germany
still is gaining time.
Bon Soir asserts that the United
States had withdrawn from European
affairs. and adds To-day they reenter,
but It is at Germany's request and con-
seuuently to serve her"
This newspaper concludes by saying
that In transmitting the German pro-
posals the Americans risk doing an
unfriendly act toward the Allies and
particularly France"
The Journal des Debots frankly crtti-
cises Premier Brands Ruhr plan. This
newspaper says II Is too complicated
and that II would not be surprised IL II
gave Mr.. Lloyd George "a slight shiver." "
The newspaper adds that a big army Is
not needed and suggests that the Su-
preme Council In an hour could decide
| to tax Ruhr coal so francs n ton. which
would yield 5000. 100000 francs on q
possible output Of 100 900. 600 tons, or al
| least two or three billion francs.
| The Allies II says. could order the
Germans to collect the tax, could main
tain a sufficient number of troops tc
insure enforcement OF the order and. al
their leisure, could develop a programme
OF customs duties TO be collected for the
purpose OF reparations. Meantime. tho
newspaper asserts. the Allies could ex.
anime into any counter proposals Ger.
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