The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-04-29
WASH'TON LEARNS
POSITION Of ALLIES
NO OFFICIAL. ANNOUNCEMENT
MADE At STATE DEPART
MENT BUT GOOD GUESS MAY
BE MADE AS TO CONVERSE:
TON RESULTING FROM COM
MUNICATION ~

matlc representatives OF tnree OF the
allied powers Great Britain,
France and Belgium-;transmitted
today to Secretary Hughes the views
of their governments with respect
to Germany's reparations proposals.
Official announcement was with
held, but it was understood chat the
secretary Of state was informed
that the German offer in its present
form was unacceptable. Whether
any suggestions were made that
Germany be asked to put forward
new and more liberal terms was not
disclosed. - 'S2 ~ tssE
1t was emphasized officially, how
ever, that the chief question at issue
was not whether the proposals as
such were acceptable to the allied
government, but whether they could
be regarded as the basis for renew.
ed discussions from which satisfac-
tory terms might eyentuate. ,I
Administration officers still main
tanned silence as to the form Of re-
ply that would be made to the Ger.
man communication. i5tsg:
Since the German offer is to be
considered at the meeting Of the all
lied supreme council on Saturday
there were suggestions in. some
quarters that the American reply
might be held up pending some fur
ther decision by the premiers.
Statements today 4 by Pfemiers
Lloyd George Of Great Britain and
BRAND Of France that, the German
offer was unacceptable were re-.
ceived by officials here with manifest
interest, but apparently no, surprise.
President Harding is to return to
Washington early tomorrow from I
his trip to Hampton Roads and it is
expected that Secretary Hughes viii
acquaint him early in the day with
the nature of the messages received
from the allied diplomats. 1l..,-
Great Britain was the first of the
allied powers to communicate its
views to the American government.
Sir Auckland Geddes, the British
ambassador, called on Mr.. Hughes in
mid-afternoon and was closted with
the secretary for nearly half an
hour. ....... - =
Before Sir Auckland lett, Baron
De Marchienpe, the Belgian anbas-
sador, reached the state department.
Later in the day Prince de Chalais,
counsellor in, the absence from
Washington of Ambassador Jusser-
and, called on Mr.. Hughes. x
London, April 2s.-AHied diplo-
mats are gathering in London for
the "tfull dress" meeting of the all
lied. supreme council Saturday at
which will be decided what steps
shall be taken for exacting the rep
arations from Germany. It was ex-
pected and even hoped, in some
quarters that the German counter
proposals forwarded through Wash
ington would make it unnecessary
to bring further pressure to war.
The court manner in which France
and Belgium rejected them, how
ever, and the decision Of England,
after certain points had been eluci-
dated by the Berlin government by
request, that in the word Of Prime
Minister Lloyd George they "are
thoroughly unsatisfactory" 'smake
it certain that the French proposals
for occupation of the Ruhr will be
the only subject Of discussion by the
supreme council unless, Of course,
Germany in the meantime sends
something closely approximately the
Paris terms.
The possibility of the United
States being represented in the con-
ference is exciting much interest in
diplomatic circles here for it is be-
lieved it would have a greater influ-
ence than any other move. Failing,