Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-22
MOVE IN PROGRESS
TO HAVE j. S. ACT
PART OF UMPIRE
Purpose Is to Have Amer.
leans Adjust Repara-
tions Issue.
WOULD WORK OUT
SETTLEMENT DETAILS
Creditors of Germany to Sub.
nit Interests to This
Country.
wAsHIN GToN IS SILENT
state Department Declines to Go Fur
ther Thnn to Say 1t Has
Made No PROPOSAL.
wAsHINGToN IS SILENT
state Department Declines to Go Fur
ther Thnn to Say 1t Has
Made No ProposnI.
LEY Associated press1

under which an American commits
sion would determine how much Ger
many should he required to pay ths
allies in reparations. has emerged
from the effort to find way for ex-
tending American aid toward solu-
ton OF the economic troubles OF Eu-
rope.
Although discussions of tho pro-
poSul have been kept thus far outside
the formal channels OF diplomacy,
tn" exchange of views has developed
thorough understanding In authori-
tat!rr circles that the United States,
Great l'r!tain and Germany all are
willing To assent IL the creation OF
such L commission.
Plan Hcfore Poincnrc.
The plan now In before Premier
Poinrar". az France. and he Is ex-
pcctcd 10 MAX" q decision after he
has concluded Il series Of conferences
with Industrial leaders OF his own
country and nf Germany. II is as
sum-d II Will he communicated later
To all the nations Interested in repa-
ratiuns payments.
Officials OF tho Washington gov
crnnent who from tho beginning OF
the present discussions have been un-
willing To do more than hint that n
way WAS being sought to render aid
toward European settlement, re-
fused today To discuss the plan for
AN American commission. Secretary
Hughes. however, did Issue a state
ment saying the government" had
presented no proposal" on the sub
ject.
Much "Behind the sceues.-
The procedure by which all OF
those directly Interested are sounded
out before any definite proposal" is
submitted with government author
Ity behind II Is the usual method
employed in negotiations OF great
delicacy The secretary's statement
recalled an assertion made few days
ago Ivy u White House spokesman,
who said In discussing the American
attitude toward Europe. that It
would not he proper to display on
the stage all that was taking place
behind the scenes.
The plan for an American commits
sion first was disclosed early today
in IN Associated Press dispatch from.
London. where the proposal has been
actively under discussion. The dis
patch credited the Chamber OF Com
mere" "f the United states with hav-
in,: first laid the suggestion before
Secretary Hughes, and II was learned
here today that much OF the actual
discussion which has taken place
since thst time has been con-
duct-d on behalf OF American indus
try by officials OF the chamber.
Mnny nt Work on Problem.
AT the state Department there was
:, disposition to draw a sharp line
nf distinction between the activities
of American and other business men
in regard to the problem and the
moves made by government officials
themselves. 1t became clear during
the day. however. that tho two
groups had kept in closest touch and
that not only Secretary Hughes. but
Secretary Hoover and others high In
the administration. were fully ad-
vised OF efforts made by President
Julius II. Barnes. OF tho Chamber OF
Commerce. and men In England.
France and Germany. who hold SIM
liar posts IN the Industrial world. to
Ind formula for solution OF the
rcparations problem.
Neither at the state Department
nor ut offices OF the chamber was
there any inciinati ion to deny the pub
lished report from London, telling OF
the unofficial plan and It's communi-
cation To tbe Washington govern
ment. IL is known that Mr.. Barnes
conferred last week at soma length
with Secretary Hughes. Asked IL any
official statement could be made in
regard TO this conference. State De-
pnrtmcnt spokeSmen said today II
would not he possible to do so. Al
;he same time efforts 10 obtain
more detailed statement regarding
Secretary Hughes general denial OF
a government proposal" also proved
fruitless.
Text or Statement.
they would not he drawn into any
the secretary's brief statement. which
in Itself avoided any mention OF de-
tails, II follows:
The Department. OF state cannot
discusS tentative proposals which
are made 10 II with respect to tho
'urnpaan situation. The report that
this government had presented TO
other governments a proposal for an
American commission Is unfounded.
or course. 1t follows that no assent
OF any government 20 such n propo-
sal received the attention OF govern
ment officials. \ irst effort 10 bring
the combined weight OF industrial In
fluence in tho allied countries, Ger
many and the United states To bear
on tho reparations stumhlingblock
was made nearly six months ago.
In Germany Great Britain, ths
United states and France. series
Of private conferences were held be-
tween Important hgurcs In :he inter-
national Industrial world The move
ment ME. with sim opposition in
France al that time. hut later. wh.n
the council OF PrrnieTs faced COM
plete rupture in London this month.
the effort was renewed with great
hopes of success in hnding a COM
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