The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-22
J. s. REFUSES HUN
 PLEA ID MEDIATE
 IN PREPARATIONS
Berlin Declares Willingness to Agree Without Reservation to Pay Any Sum Fixed
 By Harding
By Associated Pres.


 can government refused today an urgent request of the German gov- ernment that President Harding mediate the question of reparations between Germany and the allies and fix the sum Germany must pay.
 The United States, agreed however. that if the German government would formu- late promptly such proposals regarding separations "as would present proper basis for discussion" it would "con- slider bringing the matter to the atten- tion of the allied governments in man. ner acceptable to them in order that negotiations may speedily be resumed
 Germany's appeal, signed by Chancellor Fehrenbach and Foreign Minister Si- mons was directed to President Harding and was transmitted through American Commissioner Dresel, at Berlen. It was answered by Secretary Hughes after a conference late soday with the Presi- dent at the White House.
 TEXTS MADE PUBLIC
 The text of both the appeal and the reply were made public tonight by the state department. The communication from Berlin said the German govern
 
 without qualification or reservation" to pay such sum as the President after ex- animation and investigation might find just and right and to fulfill in letter and spirit all the provisions of any award that might be made by him.
 In the reply Secretary Hughes said;
 This government could not agree to mediate the question of separations with a view to acting as umpire in it's set clement Impressed, however, with the seriousness of the issues involved as they affect the whole wrold the government of the United States feels itself to be deeply concerned with the question of obtaining an early and just solution. This government strongly desires that there should be an immediate resump- tion of negotiations and reiterates us earnest hope that the German govern ment will promptly formulate such pro- posas as would present proper basis for discussion. Should the German gov ernment take this course, this govern ment will consider bringing the matter to the attention of the allied govern ments in manner acceptable to them h order tha, negotiations may speedily pe resumed.
 REM ARK ABLE APPEAL
 Germanys appeal was regarded Tn official and diplomatic Washington as il remarkable one. It was pointed out that it was directed to the head of nation with which Germany still is technically at war and which has troops on fts soil. Reference to the state of war was made n the German communication, the chancellor and foreign minister declaring that not withstanding this, they pettoned tho Pro sident in the name of the German government and the German people, with the confident hope" that the ap- peal would be granted
 This was the second communication dealing with separations addressed to the United states by the German gov eriment and apparently it was not unexpected by administration officials, as the reply went forward few hours after it had been received at the state derartm, The German memoran- dun was handed to Commissioner Dresel yesterday, and reached Wash inaton today. Secretary Hughes con- s.dered it. and late in the day con ferred with the President at the White House. His visit was brief and soon after his return to the department word came that the texts of both the Ger man note and the American reply would be made public within a few hours.
 MUST PAY MAY l
 Germany has until May to meet the demands Of the allies that the. first 'instalment in cash on the. reparations bill be paid Premiers Lloyd George of Great Britain and Briand of France are to meet Sunday in Englan to dis cuss measures to bts taken if Germany fails to meet the allied demand. It has been reported that France would insist upon the occupation of addition- al German territory and other penal- ties in the event of failure to comply.
 What steps Germany has taken ID meet the allied demands or to what ex- tent new proposals regarding repara tions have been prepared are ior known here. From the urgent nature of the German appeal 1t was the be- lief of some of the officials and d. plomats that the Berlin government found itself in an extreme position.
 U. s. WITH ALLIES
 Tn the m memorandum to the United States with respect to reparations which was drawn on last March 24. Germany said she was ready to meet any proposal which appeared feasible flor the solution of the economic and finsncial problems of Europe" and that she invited the examination of unbiased experts of her own ability to make payment" It was added that t
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