New-York tribune., 1921-04-19
France Seeks
Control of Bio
German Plants
Plans to Demand Major
ity of Stock i'm Choice
Industries as GUARANTEES
for War Bill, Says Temps
Will Reject Berlin Offer
Hopes Opinion in U. S.
Will Force England to
Agree to New Proposal
By Ralph Courtney
SpecieI Cable 10 The Tribune

Copyright, 1921, New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, April 13.-The semi-offcial
Temps says tonight that France not
only wants to participate in German
industrial groups. but wants to own
them. Germany Ia reported to plan to
offer France 40 per cent interest in
practically the whole of German in
dustry, but the Temps says France
prefers to own majority shares in
picked German enter prises.
at is legitimate and reasonable" ;"
says the Temps, shat the Allies, to
whom Germany is always complaining
Of her budget deficit, should seek
guarantees and sources of revenue
among those private enterprises which
provide Germany with her grs latest
riches and that they should demand,
for example, majority shares in such
al such great metaliurgical, mining
or other companies. The Allies could
usefully choose to exert q preponderat-
ing influence in those companies and
establishments which are particularly
fitted to be transformed into war in
dustries."
The carrying out of such threats
would make France the greatest metal
lurgical country and give her control
OF the largest arsenals and war fac
tories in the world. 1t would mean
( the death blow to the Krupp, Thyssen,
SHINES and Ehrhart groups, as they
are at present constituted, and place
France in possession Of the greatest
developed coal field on the Continent
Of Europe.
Hopes for Americas Support
France hopes that opinion in Amer
ica will force England to agree to the
French plan of exacting reparations
from Germany. Without the help of
America France still would have rea-
sonable expectation that England
would follow her lead, but she looks
TO America to shake the foundations of
British opposition. 1t is not too much
to say that the whole political section
cf France is standing to-day with its
ear to the American cable.
Up to a late hour tonight no news
had leaked out from official circles lndi-
eating what France expected America
to do. A report was received that new
German indemnity proposals already
are in Americas hands. anc France
waits in trepidation to know whether
the United States will regard thesa
worthy of consideration.
Premier BRAND has announced to the
world that France would not accept
mediation by third party, but it would
be difficult for France to carry out
this warning of hands off if America
should declare that Germany's terms
should be considered.
Simons's Early Fall Seen
According to the latest information n
in official circles, however, it is consid
ed doubtful whether the Germans have
as yet sent any proposals to America
at all. On the contrary, German action
in this respect is believed paralyzed for
the moment because rival parties in the
German government cannot agree. It is
believed in well-informed quarters here
that the early fall Of Dr.. Sirons, the
German Foreign Minister, is highly
possible.
Belgium stands firmly with France in
the present crisis. while Italian opinion
is not considered of any great weight.
America and England embody two dam
gers to the French plans, and unless
one or the other or both Of these pow
ers are in favor Of moderation. France
is preparing to refuse whatever offer
the Germans may make. without go
ing so far as to state this bluntly
France will accomplish the same end
by demanding billion marks in gold
and guarantees for the remainder OF
the twelve billions due May /,