Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-20
France Rejects Proposal
Through Premier Poincare
1t Is Said.
SITUATION CRITICAL
Hesitates to Name Figure 1t Can Pay
Because It Would Not Be Accep-
table to Allies-Appeal to United
States.
(By United Press., !,

Washington, Doc. 10. 0.LGsrmany
has proposed to the United States
and the Allies the appointment Of an
expert commission to fix just rep
arations figure within her capacity
to pay, the United Press learned to-
day.
France, through Premier Poincare,
has just summarily rejected the Ger
man proposal, according to informa-
ton reaching highly authoritative
quarters here direct from Pans.
These important international de-
velopments are clearly Indicative Of
the difficult task confronting this
government in its efforts to find a
practical way to solve the critical
European situation, and IN some
measure why the United States is
shouding its moves with secrecy and
acting with extreme caution.
Germany hesitates to name rep
arations figure now herself that she
is ready to pay, on the ground that
France mad the other Allies would
find it unacceptable.
Germany feels that il the Allied
Armies of Occuaption were with
drawn from her territory she could
pay double the amount Of reparations
she otherwise could meet, or at least
much larger sum.
Germany would undertake to give
categorical answer-"yssn or mo"
as to whether she would 9ccept and
agree to pay the figure that the ex-
pert commission decides upon
Information is that Premier Poin-
care thinks the attitude that France
insists upon the London ultimatum,
which requires that Germany pay
1872, ,O0O, ,000, 900 gold marks, or more
than 330, ,000, ,000,000 This sum il
generally regarded in the United
States as impossible.
Poincare is said to have declared
that if an appropriation is necessary
for Germany after January Is, when
the fext Preparations payments are
due, France will exact sanctions or
guarantee from Germany to insure
her interests in the reparations pay
ments.
He does not take kindly to the sp-
peal for a commission Of experts TO
determine u satisfactory reparationS
figure, especially, it is said. If such a
conference is to be held Washing
ton.
The present revelation by the Uni
ted Press Of this German proposal
has excited the greatest interest IN
Washington, especially since the
plan was undoubtedly and primarily
an appeal to the United States in the
situation
The American plan for interven.
ton in the European situation ano
the close consideration being given
now by this Government to certain
definite steps, already revealed IN
previous exclusive United States dis
patches. are closely affected by the
German reparations proposal.
What answer Secretary OF State
Hughes has given Ambassador WED
feldt on the German proposal IS not
known. but it is believed probable
that Hughes suggested that Ger
MANY suggest the plan to the Euro
pean Allied Powers to determine how
thew receive the suggestion.
Neither can it be definitely stated
now whether the reported rejection
by France Of the German proposal
will have the effect of killing the
contemplated American action, In
formal conversations concerning
which had already been initiated. OF
will stand to hasten thermove of the
| United States.