Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-04-05

11ldlly fIlOIdlly UOuuO 10 Uldkc
reparation, so far as may be
possible" were made public
Monday at the state depart
ment.
Describing the German communica-
ton as an ''unequiyocal expression" of
the recognition of that obligation, the
American reply expresses the hope
that renewed negotiations which Ger
many says it plans to initiate "may
lead to prompt settlement which
will at the same time satisfy the just
claims Of the allies and permit Ger
many hopefully to nenew its productive
activities"
Willingness Expressed.
Included in the German communica-
ton is the suggestion that the only
solution of the reparations problem
is in an international loan, in favor
of which the allies and associated
powers would waive the general mort
gage on German assets created by the
treaty of Versailles. In this connec-
tion the German government says it
would not be unwilling to assume the
obligation of the interest and the
amortization of the foreign debts of
the allied and association powers,
within the limit Of her capacity"
Germany invites the examinations
"by unbiased experts of it's own ability
to make payment" and says she stands
ready to meet any proposal which ap-
pears feasible "for the solution Of the
economic and financial problems of
Europe"
Proffers Refused.
The American reply makes no ref
erence either to the proposed consoli-
dation Of allied debts as German
obligation or the suggestion for the
determination by unbiased experts of
the ability of Germany to pay
Another consideration with regard
to reparations presented by Germany
is that Of the rehabilitation of dcvas-
tated regions. The German govern
ment says it stands ready to offer to
France good offices and resources in
whatever form is acceptable. It as
serts that for the immediate rehabiIi-
tation of the devastated regions it has
repeatedly proffered labor, technical
advice and material assistance" hut
that these offers have not been ac-
cepted.
HdpS French Promoters.
Germany declares that there exists
in France only limited degree of con-
Germ for the rehabilitation Of the devas-
tated regions, because advance indem-
mites have been given to former occu-
pants of the soil who have settled IN
other parts of France and the work Of
clearing the war areas "has been un-
dertaken by Influential groups of pro-
moters who are making no effort to
expedite the performance of their con-
tracts
The German communication is in
the form of a memorandum on DR.
Walter Simons. minister for foreign
affairs, dated March % and trans.
mitted through American Commissions
informal conversations with the Ger
some time. The American reply is
termed Statement, cent
TO Commissioner Dresel for comn,uni-
cation to DR.. Simon. 1t is dated
March % and follows:
What Memorandum Says.
The American memorandum said:
''The American government is
pleased to note in the informal memor-
,ndum Of DR.. Simons the unequivocal
on the part of the German
government of its desire to afford
'eparation up to the limit Of the DER
nan ability to pay. This government
tands with the governments of the
lilies in holding Germany responsible
or the war and therefore morally
'ound to make reparation, so far as
nay be possible.
'The recognition Of this obligation,
implied in the memorandum Of Or.
'imons, seems to the government of
he United States the only sound basis
n which can be built firm and
ust peace under which the various ma
ions Of Europe can achieve once more
ccnomic Independence and stability.
This government believes that it
ecognizes in the memorandum Of DR..
imons sincere desire on the part
{ the German government to reopen
egotiations with the allies on a new
asis, and hopes that such negotiations
nee resumed, may lead to a prompt
sttlement which will at the same time
atisfy the just claims of the allies
I'D permit Germany hopefully to re-
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