The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-30
He Suggests Commission of
Best Bankers AS Solution of
Preparations TangIe and
Sees Duty for All World
In Overcoming the Difficulty
CONFERENCE is USELESS
SAYS SECRETARY STATE
Asserts America Cannot Be
Party to Such Gathering
Because of Absence of In
vitation Into Struggle
From Powers Concerned
BY Associated Press

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Dec. 80.
A suggestion that an independent
commission of men competent in fl
nancial affairs could accomplish
more than a general international
conference toward solution of the
European reparations tangle was
made by Secretary Hughes tonight
in the first public pronouncement
on the economic crisis to come from
responsible officials of the admir-
stration at Washington.
The secretary, who spoke before
the American Historical association,
added that he had no doubt dis
tinguished Americans would con-
sent to serve on such commission
which, he said, might well be kept
free from any responsibility to for-
eign offices or any duty to obey
political Instructions Once advan-
tage had been taken of the oppor-
tunities thus afforded, he said, 'sShe
avenues of American helpfulness
cannot fail to open hopefully"
Have Not Been Asked
Referring to suggestions that the
United States assume the role of ar
bitter in the reparations dispute. Mr..
Hughes said sufficient answer to
that was the fact that we have not
been asked" lie said he did not be-
lieve this government should take
such responsibility.
Throughout his discussion, the
secretary recognized that the ques-
tons OF German reparations lay at
the root of any economic settlement.
The problems abroad. he said. are
world problems. and could not be dis
posed of by calling them Euro
pean.' He declared the United
states would view with disfavor
measures, which instead of produce
ing reparations, would threaten dis
aster.'' and said no Gne could foresee
the serious consequence" which
might cHsue if .forcible means were
adopted to obtain PREPARATIONS from
Germany"
The full text of Mr.. Hughes dis
-cussion of economic problems fol-
lows.
The economic conditions In Eu-
rope give us the greatest concern.
They have long received the earnest
consideration of the administration.
II is idle to say that we are not in
tercsted in these problems for we are
deeply interested from an economic
standpoint. as our credits and mar
kets are involved, and from a HUI
manitarian standpoint, as the heart
of the American people goes out to
those who are in distress. We cam
not dispose of these Pre- blems by
calling them European for they are
world problems and we cannot es-
cape the injurious consequences of
q failure to settle them.
Europe Must Consent
They are, however, European
pre- blens in the sense that they
cannot be solved without the con-
sent of European governments. We
cannot consent for them. The key to
the settlement is in their hands, not
in ours.
'The crux OF the European situa-
ton lies in the settlement CT rep
arations. There will be no adjustment
of other needs, however pressing.
until a definite and accepted basis
for the discharge of reparations
claims has been fixed. 1t is futile to
attempt to erect any economic struc-
ture in Europe until the foundation
is laid.
"ficw can the United States help
in this matter? We are not seeking
reparations. We are indeed asking for
the reimbursement of the costs OF
our army of occupation; and. with
good reason. for we have maintained
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