The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-08

equally strong that, informally as
was expressed, it was in accord wit
views exchanged at today's sessio
Of the cabinet during the discussion @
foreign affairs.
! War Debt Asset
Little was disclosed concerning thi
discussion, but the important fact wa
made known that there had been
unanimous agreement that the $40,
OO0,000,000 of war obligations owe,
to the United States government b,
its former allies was regarded as al
asset.
| This means that President Hardin,
and his Cabinet are in accord will
the policy of the Wilson administra
ton in showing no sympathy for tn,
suggestions advanced that the gov
eminent should cancel the alleged wal
Indebtedness. 1t must now be accept
ed that, whatever willingness the gov
eminent may have to arrange easy
terms of payment of this Indebtedness
it holds that the money loaned shoulC
be returnedA and that it will be carried
as an asset in the Treasury's fisca
transactions.
In this connection it should be un.
derstood that Viviani has not made
any suggestion to government of.
ficials, Senators or any body else that
his mission has anything to do with
Frances debt to the United States. He
has been careful to avoid that sub
ject in the semiofficial conversations
he has had since arriving in Washing
ton, but informally he has indicated
that he had no purpose of seeking the
cancellation of the debt. In following
this course Viviani has shown his abil-
ity to steer clear of subjects that
might embarrass his mission and has
thus far made easier the task before
him.
No Endorsement of Amount
1t is noted that in the informal, but
authoritative, statement of the gov
ernment's position with respect to
Germany and the reparations ques-
ton, there is no direct Endorsement of
the claim of the European Allies that
Germany shall pay reparational dam
ages amounting to approximately $780,
900, 100000 gold marks, or about $685.
900, 900, 900 in American money.
At the same time, the government
indorses the proposal to compel Ger
many to pay reparations up to the
amount she is able to pay. There has
been a distinct belief, generally held
in Washington, that Germany would
be unable to pay $4,000, 00O, OO0 But
to all intents the statement obtained
today is an Endorsement of the allied
effort to compel Germany to pay to
the allies every penny she is able to
Scrape together for the purpose with
out bringing economic and financial
ruin.
The informal statement of Ameri-
cas- position was drawn forth appar-
emily by report that the German
government had addressed a note to
the United States begging for its
support in resisting the allied repa-
demands. There was some
reason to believe that communica-
ion had come to the State Depart
nent from the German government,
out no official would make any ad-
mission on the subject, even in the
way of denial. The expectation ex-
SITS, however, that within a short |
line, say a week, the government |
will issue formal statement of its po-
ition with respect to the German re-
istance to the allied reparational de-
nand, either through note to the
German government or in an author
zed statement to the press.
German Bonds Unlikely
Berlin, April 1.-The suggestion
hat the United States become the
reditor of Germany by accepting
'erman bonds in lieu of the debts the
intente powers owe the United
tates is popular with the Germans,
Tho have proposed it several times
efore the recent overtures.
1t is regarded as unlikely, however,
/ Berlin official circles that the
'nited States will seriously consider
lch proposition until the Entente
nnounces positively the total repara-
on claims it will attempt to collect I
ON Germany. This should be done t
.ay l, according to the Versailles /
eaty. After this sum is announced {
e financial experts will be able to
dge Germany's ability to pay.