The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-29
HUGHES HOPES
NEGOTIATIONS
Will REOPEN
Harding and Cabinet Under,
stood To Have Discussed
German Reparations Pro-
posals Again Today.
REPLY STILL HELD UP
CBy Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, April 20. - Presi
dent Harding and his cabinet are I'M
derstood to have discussed the Ger
man reparations proposals again to-
day. Secretary Hughes laying before
them the views of the principal allied
powers. with regard to the ofier.
Meantime, the American reply to the
German communication was held up.
While the cabinet was considering
the question it became known that
Great Britain and Italy had not def
nitely rejected the German offer as
unacceptable as a basis for negotia-
tions 1t was understood. however,
that the French and Belgian views as
transmitted to Mr.. Hughes were that
the terms were unacceptable.
According to information in usually
well-informed quarters, Secretary
Hughes is hopeful that negotiations
between the allies and Germany can
be re-opened. 1t is said that even IL
a final decision is not reached before
the French begin to move into addi-
tion German territory, the exchanges
can continue after that time.
BERLIN, April 29.-Criticism lev
elled at the German cabinets appeal
to President Harding in the repara-
tions question was calculated to weak
en- still further the position of Ger
m an diplomacy abroad, declared
Count Won Bernstorff. former ambas-
sador to the United States, in his
maiden speech before the Reichstag
yesterday. Supporting the German
note to Washington, the former am
bassador deprecated the temper of
the debate.
THE Democratic party to which l
belong" he said, "has contemplated
with profound regret the discussion
and today. At a time when the faith
erland is in dire distress, when we are
Immediately threatened with the gray
est coercive measures, we are indulg-
ing in heated partisan discussion in
stead of realizing national unity which
alone will enable us to overcome the
menace with which we are confronted.
"The United States IS actuated
| chiefly by economic motives in Its
| treatment of European problems.
America can not possibly be interest
ed in seeing Germany dismembered,
or deprived of territory which is now
coveted in the western quarters of
Europe. To expect for-reaching po-
litical aid from the United States,
| believe would be an error. The pres
| ent issue, however is not purely po-
(! litical, but it involves the principle
of firmly establishing the solidarity
of the interests of all nations"
Asserts Proof
Proof of this may be found in pre-
vailing world conditions. The United
States is overstocked with raw mater.
| ials which we badly need. The
thought Of solidarity of nations. how
ever, involves the principle that the
| negotiations be conducted on a basis
of equality. The imposition of the
| penalties with which we are threat
ened would be tantamount to a resur-
rection of the state of war. Under
| these conditions, we feel we are justi-
| fled in making an eleventh hour ap-
| peal to arbitration. To this end we
; proposed giving the United States an
opportunity to propagate the principle
to which its present as well as its
former administrations have fully
| subscribed"
! In contra-distinction to other speak
ers, Count Won Bernstorff consumed
only 10 minutes Of the Reichstag's
| time.
! In contradiction to other speakers,
Count Won Bernstorff consumed only
| 10 minutes of the reichstag's time.
PARIS. April 29.-Dr. Won. Gertzen,
head of the German war burdens COM
mission, refused to attend a meeting
of the reparations commission TO-DAY
| for determination of the time and
methods of the German payments. DR..
Non GertZen, replying to the commits
sion's notice to attend the meeting,
and present the German observation,
declared he did not believe he should
attend in view of the present condi-
| tions.
! Premier BRAND left for London ear
! ly today to attend the meeting of the
/ supreme allied council on Saturday.
He will appear before that body with
| the support of the French parliament,
public and press, which is unanimous
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