The Washington herald., 1921-12-09
FRENCH hint U.S..
OUGHT TO FORECO
INDEMNITY SHARE
Paris Journals Worry
Over British View on
Moratorium.

PARIS, Dec. s.-France, chafng
under the fear that her efforts to
make Germany pay" will ultimate
ly fail before the frigid attitude
OF England and America. suggests
Through her inspired press that
these two former allies ought at
least to forego their share OF the
first reparations installment.
French journals entertained few
hopes for the success of Recon-
struction Minister Louis Loucheur's
mission to London. They felt that
the British chancellor of the ex-
chequer would insist on following
out the agreement of August lS,
which Finance Minister Paul Dou-
mer signed but the cabinet would
not ratify. This agreement would be
ruinous for France, they pointed
out. for II would deprive her Of
anything from the first German
payment, except small sums which
Belgium owes her and which might
be deducted from the Belgian pri-
ority share.
Inspired newspapers stressed the
fact that American creditors will
receive nearly 900. 100000 gold
marks from the first 1000, OOO, 900
due Belgium. and that England will
receive 150,000,0OO marks.
Intervention Is Urged.
There were strong hints that the
Americans might easily put off pay
ment from Belgium, thus setting
the example for England to forego
her privileges granted under the
August agreement, which the
French deem unjust. However, lit
tie hope was held for such a result.
While Loucheur Is presenting the
French position in London, the prof.
ect to assume direction of Ger
many's finances the same as of any
bankrupt concern is gaining
ground in Paris.
LIE Temps, replying to German
criticisms that the allies would
"Turkify the Fatherland," says the
allies would avoid such an exi-
gency but that Germany is fore
ing them to it by not attempting to
regulate her finances. lie Temps fur
ther demands some kind of foreign
lhlcEHchlioh dl Dtrll1
Opposed to Moratorium.
Deputy Payre, writing in La
Presse, says
Anyway. France for the present
cannot admit the idea of a morato-
rum for German debts. Germany
can pay, therefore. let her pay. We
shall see about giving her future
credit when we finally see the
color of her money"
Loucheur, who comes to present
the French viewpoint regarding the
indemnity, called the attention of
the premier most pointedly to the
provisions of the wiesbaden agree
ment which would give Britain a
share in Germany's payments "in
kind"
simultaneously the report was re-
vived that England has definitely
decided on a German moratorium.
This rumor, though premature de.
spite the discussion by the cabinet
finance committee, served to en-
phssize the French perturbation
which prompted Loucheur's visit.
Predicts Allied Meeting,
Loucheur's arrival is regarded A.,
especially significant because II
comes when Rathenau and other
German signatories to the wies-
baden bill are still in London. thus
making possible discussions he.
tween German, French and British
delegates.
If Loucheur fails in his main oh.
ject. he Is understood to be ready
to eresent an alternative proposal
to take the place Of moratorium.
although Britain Is strongly for the
latter.
The upshot of the discussion will,
be. 1t is widely predicted, a big in
terallied meeting In the immediat,
future. Additional assurance for
such a meeting is found in the be-
lief that Premier Lloyd George has
abandoned his plan to attend the
WaShingfon arms coufAran,a