The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-12-13
Reparatio7s
Problem. Is
Up To U. S.
by DAVID LAwTSNCH
(CopyrIgh: ey che InteNiGencer)

tioas problem which for tour years
has kept Europe In a state OF appre-
heUslon has been deposited Tor set.
t!emeut on the doorstep OF the White
House.
The deadlock in the conference oi
premiers at London with the decision
20 have another conference in Janu.
airy means that Europe still hopes tne
United States will lend a helpinS
voice II not hand in bringing the IA
toins together on a workable pro
gram.
Try as the American government
may under this administration "a
separate and distinct from the matter
o; allied war debts 70 the United
States the political side OF the matter
reveals how inSeparable the Two real
ly are Great Britain is trying tc ap'
pease French sentiment b. propoStnc
a cancellation OF British debt in eN'
change for an agreement on France )
part TO accept lower reparatton from
Germany. And when that cycle OF
negotiation begins. it usually ends
with the barrier OF Americas debt on
the adjustment OF which no authortt&'
tive word has been spoken by ANYONE
even the Funding commission ap'
pointed b. act OF congress.
U. S. Influence.
II the United States wOG,d only
discuss the question of rcpacation anG
war debt and express an opinion, her
moral influence would go far toward
compelling a settlement. The scales
are evenly balanced. America can
throw her weight in any direction am
force her own viewpoint. Europe Is
ready TO listen 10 American proposals
not alone because they come from 4
nation detached from Europe Contro,
versies Of a political and economical
nature but because America is a cred
itor nation with financial power.
In the BACKGROUND is the land arma
mcut situation which is keeping Eu
rope cu eds" and draining the
budgets OF all the powers on the
continent. The United States Is st'iI
waiting tor France to ratity tho naval
disarmament treaty. Although It Is
denied here that the development ~
American policy toward Europe has
any relation - the delay IN the
french parllameu; in ratuying the
treaties negotiated at the arms coz
ference here a year ago. tho parcttcaI
effect OF the delay is about the sam"
thing. America will not consider tax.
ing more active part IN Europe
while France blocks tho way on som",
thing wh1h waI and is vital to t1@
Harding administration -ratitlcaaoa
OF its first big International action.
Clemenccau's Visit.
Former Premier Clemencean visit
contributed a friendly touch 20 . cor.
troversial atmosphere but until the
Sovr -nmert OF premier POinCar"
shows the Same ileXioility IN policy
as did VI. ClemeaCeau in personal con
tact with America there will be litilH
chance OF convincing the Harding al.
ADMINISTRATION that even 4 slight Gepar'
ture from its policy OF seclusipn
would be Of any avail at this time.
We're France 70 manifest a moCs
rraCtable attitude there IS no telling
what progress might be made toward
winning the cooperation OF Prestceuj
Harding and Secretary Hughes. The
insertion BY the President in his re
cent message OF a direct hint that
America would like 10 sec the princt
ole Of the four power pact applied 10
Europe was not an accident. K had
a purpose. No one will admit that l.
was an overture TO France, the eN'
preston OF a hope that France would
rarifv the naval arms treaty and op"-
the way to further steps IN interna
;oiral conference with America IN
cluded. But that Is tho meaning st.
,ached TO it by most Oy the diplomats
who have Cabled their foreign o.tlce'
about Il. And they thlaH il is One q
the most significant steps that has
Teen taken by Mr., Harding since the
arms conference met year ago.
European Pact.
The ambition e; the Harding al.
ministratiuR. oil course. Is to fulfill
the pledge made Tor some kind OF "a
sociation OF nations IN place og ~"
alleged super-government OF tue
league OF nations. The latest teyei.
opmeut Is the idea oil making tive
mower or six power pact IL Europe <
include the United States, Germany
Great Britain. France, Italy and prop
ably Belgium TO bind Themselves mu
tuallv TO respect each others right2
Such a guarantee b. France that :.
would respect the territorial integrity
OF Germany and such an assurance
that the Germans would BE- commit
tel against an invasion OF France
would not carry with 1t an obligation
on six powers to take sides II the
treaty were violated. but would mean
an instant conference wherein moral
suasion would b. applied and tie
principle OF Investigation.
Mr. HardinS's Chjet idea on inter
national affairs Is the Bryan idea o!
resting agreements on moral rattle!
than physical force.
E1LTope'S plan Tor American aid IN
solving the reparatiou problem may
nxstep the day for the proposal %
such treaty. France can help ma
1er!ally by ratityine the arms trea
ties. Between now and the propose!
confercnc" ot th" allied premIers IL
January something may be expected
from the Washington government, 4
move toward participation based. ni
course. on the thought that EurOp
must soon make beginning vi he: