The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-13
France Regards It as
Last Effort to Obtain
United Action by Al
lies on German Rep
aratiions

before France sets out independent
ly to collect in her own way.
The meeting is looked upon as in
many respects the most important
since the armistice. involving as it
does the continuance of friendly CO.
operation between France and
Great Britain. A lesser. but none
the less important factor. is the
prevailing impression that NJ. Poin-
cares political existence is at stake
IN the policy for which the pro-
posed Brussels financial conference
stands
Unless the premiers decide in
London TO convene the Brussels
meeting many observers believe
sf. Poincare viii find. his useful
ness at an end Others think that
ssflse French premier, in the event
of a disagreement at London, will
proceed to the execution Of his
plans for the. occupation OF the
Ruhr valley and the exploitation
of the occupied Rhineiand before
making way for someone else. but
faith in the efficiency of this
scheme of penalties appears to be
decreasing in official quarters. and
many say it will never be resorted
to-
French optimism over the
makeup Of the new British govern
naent has given way lately to a feel
ing of pessimism in view of certain
definite indications that Prime
Minister Bonar Law holds to sub
stantially the same views of rep
arations as did Lloyd George.
Although the. British have dis
closed no stated policy since the
resignation of Lloyd George. Pre-
rier Bonar Law seems to agree
with his predecessor that Germany
should be given a long moratorium
rom cash payments, that the to-
tai of the indemnify should be re-
duced and that no military meas
ures should be used in attempts
TO force Germany to- pay.
M Poincare's much discussed
plan OF settlement. although with
held on the eve of the London meet
ing because of the sensational Bal-
four note, is expected to be placed
before the present meeting. but it
appears that he will reveal it only
in its broad outlines, reserving the
detailed plan for the Brussels con-
ference.
However, it is learned that the
following definite propositions,
while not constituting the plan. viii
probably guide the French in their
arguments in London:
No. moratorium to Germany
without the surrender Of productive
guarantees such as mines and for
esfs.
2. Reduction of from 10000
090,080 to 59.9e0, 200, 600 gold marks
IN the German indemnity only on
condition that theresbe parallel
reduction in the French and other
allied debts.
8. Revision of the percentages
of the German payments in favor
OF France. France, at present is
entitled to SO per cent. but would
claim Great Rritain,s 90 per cent.
in return for fixing the indemnity
at the suggested amount.
4. When the voluntary de-
fault OF Germany is definitely es-
tabIished or when Germany refuses
to carry out the financial reforms
of balancing her budget and sta
billing the mark, penalties would
be imposed. These would include
extension Of the allied occupation
of the Ruhr SO as to permit Gus
toms cordcn around that territory
and the economic exploitation and
general administration Of the
Rhineiand.
On the other hand. the British.
& backed by Italy and Belgium, hold
that it is useless to convene the
Brussels meeting unless there is a
clear preliminary understanding on
certain points which NJ. Poincare
would leave for consideration al
Brussels. These are the fixing Of a
reasonable sum of indemnity and
the methods of its payment: re-
distribution of the payments among
the allies. cancellation of the al
lied debts SO far as possible with
out affecting America, methods by
which Germany's finances can be
restored under allied control. and
the raising of a loan for Germany
The Belgians have frankly said
that they will not issue invitations
for the Brussels conference unless
there are bright hopes of its sue
cess.
1t was evident tonight that an
allied agreement is impossible if M
Poincare insists upon military
measures to coerce Germany. but
there are indications that Bona,
Law will agree to seizure Of the
German mines and forests if France
abandons her socalled Ruhr plan
When the allied debt comes up il
is certain the position of the Unit.
ed States Will be thoroughly dis
cussed. Therefore there is much
speculation regarding the presence
in London of the American am
bassadors to Germany and Bel
gium, few days before the pre-