Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-30

New Haven, Dec 2S.-A suggestion that an independent commission of men competent in financial affairs could ac- complish more than general interna- donal conference toward solution of the European reParations tangle were put forward by Secretary Hughes here to- aight in the first public pronouncement m the economic crisis to come from re- Iponsfble officials of the administrators tt Washington.
 The secretary, who spoke before teS American Historical association, added that he had mo doubt" distinguished Americans would oe willing to serve on Iuch a commission, which he said might we'll be kept free from any responsibility 70 foreign officials or any duty to obey political instructions. Once advantage had been taken of the opportunities thus afforded, he said, "the avenue of Ameri- gan helpf0lness cannot fail to open hope I!ully."
 Referring to suggestions that the United States assume the role of arbiter tn the reparations dispute, Mir. Hughest said a sufficient answer to that vas the fact that we have not been ask sd'. He went on to say he did not be- iove this government should take such FIburden of responsibility.
 Throughout his discussion the secre- ary recognized that the questions Of iernar reparaHons lay at the root of my economic settlement The problems rhroad he said, are world problems, and isauld not be disposed e eby calling hem European" He declared the United states would sview with disfayor meas if6s which 1nstead of producing repa- ;atlcns would threaten disaster" and said 10 one could foreSee the "serious conse- iuepces' which might ensue if forcible means were adopted to obtain repara- ions from Germany.
 Text of Mir. HuEhes' Discusnlon
 ThA full text of MT. Hughes, discus ion of economic problems follows:
 Tho economic conditions in Europe tive us the greatest concern, They nave long received the earnest considera- ion of the. administration. It Is idle to Iay that we are not interested in these problems for we are deeply interested rom an economic standpoint, as our Tedits and markets are Involved, and rom humanitarian standpoint, as the ieart of the American people goes out to hose who are in distress. We cannlt dispose of these problems by calling them European for they are world problems aud we cannot escape the Injurious con A
 'sfhey are, however, European prob ems In the sense that they cannot ne ,Olved without the consent of European gov6rnments. We cannot consent foI hem. The key to the settlement is In heir hands, not in ours.
 Settlement oR Preparations Paramount
 "The crux of the European situation ies in the settlement of reparationR yas4Tn rs,a I1Nwnk pN kIaar leeds, however, pressing, until a definite md accepted basis for the discharge oi separations claims has been fixed. It fl gutlle to attempt to erect any economit structure in Europe until the foundation s laid.
 How can the United States help fl lhis matter? We are not seeking repara lions. We are Indeed asking for the re lmbursement of the costs of our army O. occupation; and, with good reason, fol we have maintained our army In Europ tt tho request of the allies and of Ger many and under an agreement that it sosts, with like army costs, should b. { hrst charge upon the amounts paid b! Germany. Others have been paid ant we have not been paid.
 U. s. Has Made No Demands
 'But wei are not seeklrg general TOD lrationS We are bearing our own bur Rsn and through our loans a large eart of EuropeS burden in addition. N demands of ours Astand In the way of proper settlement Of the separations ques 7 hohs,
 .'of course, we hold the obligations Q European governments and there ha been much discussion abroad and her respect to them. There has been a per -fS. ,.eti<. lo link up the dgbts owing to our gov lrnment with reparations CT with pro ncts of cancellation. This attempt wa resisted in q determined manner unde the former administration and under th present administration.
 "The matter is plain enough from cu Itandpoint. The capacity of Germany | pay Q not at all affected by any Indebt sdness of any of the allies to us. Ina fndsbtedness does not diminish Ger many'a capacity, and It's removal woul not fndueasa her capacity. For example f France had been able to finance he part in the war without borrowing at a from us, that is, by taxation and intern n loans. the problem of what German could pay would be exactly tho sam' Moreover, 60 far as the debtors to tn .Unitsd States are concerned, they hay unsettlsd credit balances. and their cor Eitlon and capacity to pay cannot Drcperly determined until the snassut that can be realized on these credits fc feparations has been determineds
 About Foreign Debtors
 ssl'he administration must also consil or the difficulty arising from the fal lhat the question of these obligation which wa hold, and what shall be don lrlff, thaua fk not question within Sh province of the executive. Not only ma onrress deal with public property { hil Bort, but it has dealt with it sa crottsd eonmissicn ana instead (