New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-12
Governments Attitude One
Of Watchful Waitin q
Until Officially Advised
of Action at Washington
Carbled Text Published
Strict Silence Maintained;
Doubt Expressed as to
Legality of Resolution
Special Gable to The Tribune


question of peace between the Untet
States and Germany. Repeated inqui.
ries at the Foreign Office by The Tribune
correspondent have elected reply the
substance of which is:
We don't know what action the
American government really has taken
or intends to take in the matter Of
peace between America and Germany
Ofhcially, We have not been informed
of the adoption of the peace resolution
by Congress or of its signing by the
President. Until we hear officially from
| Washington or through the American
representative in Berlin, Germany can
do nothing but await developments"
newspapers here are at loss to un-
derstand the real status of the ques-
ton between the United States and
| Germany. The English text, consider
ably garbled, was published here two
days ago, but apparently failed to ac-
quaint the Germans with it's exact sig
nlhcance so far as the existence of an
actual state Of peace is concerned.
war Legislation AnnuIIed
Germany considers herself at peace
with the United States, first. because
of her signing the Versailles Treaty
and, second, because she never declared
war on the United States. Germany
long since has annulled all war legis-
lation bearing on the United States.
Neither Chancellor Wirth, Foreign
Minister Rosen nor any other respon-
sible member of the government will
venture TO discuss the question, be-
lieving that the initiative in the situa-
tion rests with Washington.
The big question occupying officials
is whether peace with America is to
be on the basis of the Versailles
Treaty, with reservations, as suggested
by Secretary of State Hughes, or by
the negotiation of separate treaty
with Germany. For the German gov
eminent to make any declaration on
this point at this moment, officials ap-
parently believe, would mean running
the risk Of saying something impolitic
The government will say nothing until
Washington breaches the question
While in some diplomatic circles it
is reported that Secretary Hughes al
ter Rosen, this was denied at the Of
fees of the American Mission.
To Leave Guidance to u. S.
Germany, it is understood, will not
venture to lay dowr. any principles for
decides upon concluding separa te
peace treaty, but will leave the guild
ance of the negotiations in the hands
of the United States. 1t is suggested
that an agreement, if decided upon,
may be concluded not by special pleni-
potentiaries, but directly between the
German Ambassador to be sent to
Washington and the American State
Department
The German Ambassador who will be
sent to Washington, judging by eli in
dications, will not be diplomat of the
old school, but some prominent eco
nomic and financial expert Foremos st
among the names mentioned arc Herr
Cuno, president of the Hamburg-Amer-
lean Line, and Professor Luio Bren-
tano, the economist
The Tribune correspondent learns
that four American fnanciers are now
on their way to Germany with mis-
sion to discuss the adjustment of the
exchange situation between America
and Germany.
The German attitude on the peace
situation at the present moment is re-
fiected in the Frankfurter Zeitung's
comment on the Berlin newspaper dis
cusslon of the personality of the COM
ing German Ambassador to the United
States
I'VE believe these conjectures to be
rather PREMATURE" says the Zeitung,
and likely to remain so for some time,
TOR there is not yet any peace between
the United States and Germany. There
Is still considerable doubt as to
the legality of the peace resolution
adopted by Congress and signed by
President Harding.
Congress has decided to end the
state of war, but has retained for the
United States all the rights and claims
granted to the United States by virtue
OF the armistice and the Treaty of
Versailles. America will not foreeo any
advantages to which she feels herself
entitled on the basis of these agree
ments, now or in the future
1T is the intention of the American
policy to retain certain advantages she
obtained from the peace treaty and
which were conceded by Germany and
reject those parts of the treaty which
are not desirable TO her. In conse-
ouence of this situation Germany is
confronted with diplomatic situation
by no means simple.
Would Reject League
America desires to reject entirely
those sections of the treaty bearing
upon the League of Nations or her
possible concern in the new order ere
ated in Europe. Admitting that the
League Of Nations has thus far proved
rather shadowy in nature, it is none
the less fact that it has certain
right of supervising the execution of
the peace treaty, including portions
OF 1T directly concerning Germa.y's
interest.
when America rejects all concern
in the disposition of the territorial
problems of Europe she thereby ag-
gravates the conditions of the peace
treaty for Germany, for it was the
thought that that great overseas re-
public would participate in the future
adjustment of European order which
formed one of the most important fac
tors which moved Germany to accent
the treaty. While it is of the greatest
Importance to Germany to enter into
normal relations with America, the de-
cision of Congress creates situation
which is to be viewed with alarm
Alarm, bewilderment, uncertainty
and hope, that is the German attitude
on the question of peace between Ger
many and America.
Frank Bowers Is Named