The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-04-27
l.. S. REFUSES GERMAN
= REQUEST TO MEDIATE
Harding Will Not Mediate Repara-
tons Between Germany and the Al

| lItSs
/ Washington, April 21.--The Ameri-
| can government refused today an
urgent appeal Of the German govern
mcnt that President Harding mediate
1 the question of reparations between
/ Germany and the allies, and fix the
sum Germany is to pay.
| The United States agreed, however,
! that if the German government would
( formulate promptly such proposals
regarding reparations as would pre-"
sent proper basis for discussion" it
would consider bringing the matter
to the attention Of the allied govern
ments in manner acceptable to them
in order that negotiations may speed
T lily be resumed
! Germany's appeal. signed by Chan
eellor Fobrenbach and Foreign Min
lister Smons, was directed to Presi-
dent Harding, and was transmitted
through American Commissioner
| Drcse at Berlin. 1t was answered &y
Secretary Hughes after conference
late today with the President at the
White House.
The texts Of both the appeal and
the reply were made public tonight
| by the state department. The COM
munication said the German govern
ment was ready and willing" to
agree without qualification or rescr-
/ vaton" TO pay such sum as the Presi-
dent after examination and investi-
CATION might find just and right"
and to fulfill in letter and spirit all
the provisions of any award that may
be m:de by him"
In reply, Secretary Hughes said:
This government could not agree
to mediate the question of repara-
tions with Wow TO acting as umpire
ever, with the seriousness OF the is
sues involved as they affect the whole
world, the government Of the United
States feels itself to be deeply con-
cerned With the question of obtaining
an early and just solution. This gov
ornmcnt strongly desires that there
should be an impcdiate resumption
OF negotiations and reiterates its earn
est hope that the German government
will Drom.tly formulate such pro-
posals as would present proper
basis for discussion. Should the Ger
man government take this course, this
government will consider bringing the
matter to the attention OF the allied
governments in a manner acceptable
to them in order that negotiations may
: speedily DC resumed
/ Germany's appeal was regarded in
official diplomatic Washington as q
remarkable one. 1t was pointed out
q nation with which Germany still is
technically at war, and which has
troops on its soil. Reference to tie
STATE OF war was made in the Ger
man communication, the chanccllcV
I and foreign minister declaring that
notwithstanding this, they petitioned
the President 'in the name of the
| German government and the German
| people," with the confident hope"
4 that the appeal would be granted
! This was the second communica-
/ ton dealing With reparations ad-
dressed 10 the United States by the
/ German government and apparently
/ it was not unexpected By administra-
/ ton officials. as the reply went for
ward few hours after it had been
\ received at the state department.
/ The German memorandum was hand
! ed to Commissioner Drcscl yesterday
/ ard reached Washington today. Sec
I rotary Hughes considered it and late
/ in the day conferred with the Presi-
i dent al the White House. His visit
! was brief and soon after his return
TO the department, word came that
! the texts of both the German note and
the American reply would be made
public within a few hours
Germany has until May to meet
the demands Of the allies that the
parations bill be paid. Prcmiers
Lloyd George of Great Britain, and
Briand Of France, are to meet Sun
day in England to discuss measures
To be taken II Germany fails to meet
the allied demand. 1t has been re-
i.ortci that France would insist up
on the occupation OF additional Ger.