The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-25
OFFERSsAID
IN RECONSTRUCTION
Note Sent to British Government Re
iterating Willingness to Under
take Work in Devastated
France

London, April 23.-Germany has
sent a~note to the British govern
ment ~reiterating her complete will
ingness to undertake the rconstr1lc-
ton Of devastated France.
The note which came from the
German foreign Office, was delivered
byathe. German embassy to, the Brit
ish foreign Office this evening. It
follows:
Germany is absolutely persuaded
that it is unavoidably necessary for
the purpose Of restoring economic
peace throughout the world that the
territories devastated through the
war should be reconstructed and re-
stored. Until this has been done,
there will be danger that feelings of
hate will continue to expand among
the nations. concerned. !
Germany therefore declares her
self once more to be entirely willing
with all the means and strength at
her disposal and to take into account
in regard. thereto, in every ,individ-
ual case each wish Of the power con-
cerned as far as possible.
The note proceeds to enumerate
in great detail the possibilities Of re-
construction: First, for Germany to
take over specified localities, either
as a state undertaking or by. direct
ing the work Of a national coloniz-
ing and settlement association; sec.
ond, to undertake the work Of clear
ing reforestation, building and re-
pairing brick works for the produc-
ton Of chalk, platter, cement and
other neeessaries and the delivery
Of the necessary machinery and the
building materials from Germany;
third to arrange that all such ma
terial and machinery shall emanate
from Germany, and, fourth to start
Immediately plans to build at least
$4,000 wooden. houses in the de-
vastated district before the cold sea-
son begins:
Other clauses Of tbs, note specify
the execution Of deer. and shallow
excavations Of all. kinds, according
to the plans and under the control
Of the French authorities, or other
wise according to the wishes of the
allied governments.
The German government expresses
a willingness to help in any way
possible to take over the cost in
paper marks, the amount to be
reckoned against the Preparations ac-
count and generally to cooperate in.
every possible manner.
=, The note is signed by DR.. Walter
Simons the German foreign minister
It requests the allied governments to
initiate the necessary line Of details.
Berlin April ga cabinet coun-
Gil will meet this evening. and tomor-
row the Germany government will
make known its policy on the ques-
ton of PREPARATIONS.
DR.. Simons the foreign minister
made this announcement in the
reichstag today in speaking of the
willingness Of the American govern
ment to transmit German repara-
lions proposals to the allied govern
ments in a manner acceptable to
them.
The German government will have
to make a decision concerning. the
establishment Of a basis for its
propositions. A cabinet council will
meet this evening and tomorrow the
will make known its pol
icy on the PREPARATIONS question. The
government is convinced that in TAX
ing up this project, it must go to the
extreme limit of what the German
can furnish in the way of
reparations."