The New York herald., 1922-08-20
REP PARATIONS BOARD
GETS FRENCH PLAN
Urged Unofficially to Adopt
1t Since Governments
Have Failed.
MEANS IMMENSE CUT
General Proposal Is to Re-
duce 1t to $4,000, 100000
Gold Marks.
ENJOYS OFF TO BERLIN
Hope to Reach Agreement for
Remainder Of Years
Payments.
ENJOYS OFF TO BERLIN

PARIS, Aug. IS tAssociated Press).-
The departure OF the reparations. mis-
sion for Berlin tonight marked the
beginning OF the final effort of the
Preparations Commission to find tenn
porary solution of the German in
demnity problem acceptable to French
and British public opinion. and there
by prevent the threatened independent
action of France, with a consequent
breaking up Of the Entente.
Sir John Bradbury, British member
of the commission. and his associates
will arrive at Berlin tomorrow night.
They have an appointment to see
Chancellor Wirth Monday morning.
Relative to the departure OF this mis-
sion. French off1cial circles have renewed
with increased vigor the French plan for
comprehensive reparations settlement,
which Premier Poincare would have pre-
sented at London but for the refusal of
Mr.. Lloyd George to permit discussion
of the allied debts
Ask Board to Act ON Plan.
The Reparations Commission is being
urged unofficially to take up the plan
now that the Governments have failed
to solve the problem. Briefly the scheme
provides for reduction OF the interest
bearing reparations to $4,000, 900, 600
gold marks. including both cash and
merchandise. and the gradual cancel
lation of the remainder Of the 49,, 900,
600. 900 marks indemnity.
This 82,000,000, 900 gold marks would
be cancelled 'proportfonately AZ the 50.-
100000, 600 are paid by Germany and as
the interallied debts are cancelled. The
plan leaves the United States claims in
allegiance for adjustment later. the point
being made that the allied debts to the
United States cannot at this time be
considered with the general reparations
settlement.
The Reparation Commission would
welcome the opportunity to settle the
question in such a broad way, but II
Is realized that the governments would
have to give the commission special
authority to proceed with such plans.
Both the French and British officials re-
gard some general settlement such as
the French proposal inevitable. but i'm
possible at the present time.
The purpose therefore. of the commits
sion is to And temporary compromise
which would bridge the interval be-
by which time, 1t is expected, the AL
lies will be ready formally TO consider
cancellation OF debts and reduction Of
indemnity. Whether such a settlement
would be left to the Reparation Com
mission or considered by another con-
ference remains undetermined, but the
latter course probably would be taken.
Sir John Bradbury and his associates
left Paris optimistic over the possibili-
ties Of arranging temporary settle
-mert. The commission has been in
formed that Germany welcomes direct
contact with the mission, and IL is
thought the German Government may
offer new suggestions for meeting the
situation.
Fear Ruhr Occupation.
German industrial interests have
been exerting considerable pressure on
the Government to prevent the intended
independent action of France. which
they say would take the form of imme-
diate occupation of the Ruhr. Great
Britain, 1t Is indicated, would greatly
prefer n settlement by unanimous ap-
proval in the commission rather than
isolated action by the French.
Sir John Bradbury will. therefore,
make. a strong effort TO obtain addi-
tional guarantees meeting both the
French and British positions, or some
temporary solution. where a moratorium
would not be necessary. A loan cs
f12, 100000 would make possible the car
rying out of the schedule OF cash pay
ments for the remainder Of this year.
The British member believes that such
loan may be raised II Germany can
get together sufficient securities. II
a loan is not feasible the mission is
faced with the necessity OF finding guar
antees to take the place Of the Poincare
proposals to seize the State mines and
forests In return for a moratorium.
Several plans have been discussed. but
II Is hoped that the Germans will offer
substitute guarantees to meet the APP