The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-31
EngIand's Premier Goes to
Paris Monday With Plan
For Final and Complete
Settlement American
Idea PIeases
BY Associated Press

adjournment of the allied g
meeting here December IL, il. s. er
to avoid an open break between
Great Britain and France on repara-
tions, there has been a flood of ru-
mors and reports concerning the So
luton of the deadlock that Prime
Minister Bonar Law was likely to
propose when the allied representa-
tives resumed their discussions in
Paris.
Only today, however, was an
authoritative statement Forthcoming
from official circles. This was to
the effect that the British premier
would go to Paris Monday armed
with a new plan for final and com
plete settlement oil the question of
Germany's war obligations.
Immediately after the London
breakdown. Downing streets hopes
were that the French attitude would
change, but the last fortnight has
shown the trend Of French official
opinion to be away from, instead Of
toward the British. with the result
that Bonar Law yesterday presented
to his cabinet a plan which it is
stated comprises the utmost limit OF
British concessions.
In its broad principles the plan is
said to be as follows:
/. Any PREPARATIONS program agreed
on in Paris must be a final one,
which will put definite end to the
wrangling of the last three years
and give am opportunity for the gem
eral economic reconstruction of Eu-
rope.
2. moratorium Tor Germany is cs-
sential for a period of from two to
four years II, which time Germany
must BALANCE her budget, stability
the mark and undergo general flnan-
cial reform under allied supervision
but not under allied receivership.
Ascending Penalty Scale
8. Reduction of the reparations
total to approximately f2,5o0, 100000
which, If not forthcoming after Ger
many is given fair chance to make
good her obligations, will be obtained
by an ascending scale of economic
penalties.
British official circles discount re-
ports from Parliaren that the
French have formed definite, un-
changeable plans to be enforced
against the Germans beginning jan
uary 10.
1t is stated that Premier Poincare
is likely TO be surprised to find Banar
Law in full sympathy with him
against the German tactics of eva
sion and non-fulfillment of pledges,
the only differences being in the
method of obtaining payments, the
British remaining unconvinced that
the French plans for control of the
German sources of production will
result in anything but social and
economic upheavals in the districts
taken over.
Feel Hughes supports plan
The speech of the American Secre-
tary of State last night is taken by
the British as full support of their
stand, and while his recommendation
for a non-political board of experts
to fix the reparations total is not
new, the British consider that his
statement places France In an iso-
lated position.
The absence of Premier Mussolini
of Italy Is not likely to affect the
Paris conference, according to the
British view. 1t Is recalled that
Signor Mussolini also announced that
it would be impossible for him to
attend the London meeting, but that
he arrived on time. The appoint
ment OF the Marquis Della Torreta
as Mussolini's substitute more def
nitely indicates that the premier will
not appear.
AS leader of the fascist movement
Signor Mussolini presents pictur-
esque figure and attracts popular at
tention. but it is pointed out that
the presence of the Belgian premier
M. Theunis. is far more essential. for
Belgium is expected to take the role
of mediator.
British officialdom IS unwilling tc
consider the possibility of dead
lock at Paris. for such result
would be regarded as disastrous. The
allied representatives must agree
for, it is pointed out, there is nc
hope Of assistance from America.
British Would Retire
The British debt funding commits
sion is not expected to obtain defi-
mite results which could possibly
have a beneficial effect on the Paris
negotiations by January Is. wher
the temporary moratorium for Ger
many ends and the original repara-
tion schedule of 1921, involving the
payment OF loo, 100000 pounds an
nually is again effective. not men,
tioning the overdue payment which
would bring Germany's present in
debtedness to Great Britain alone &c
total of 15S,000.000 pounds.
Should no agreement be reached by
January is and should Premier Poin-
| care order his troops to escort French
| customs officials and engineers into
the Ruhr district. Great Britain
would not be likely to protest, bui
! it is thought. would retire to thu
position of isolation she occupied q
| century ago and prepare as best she
| could to combat the chaotic economic
! conditions on the continent which
! she believes, would follow any Co
| crcive action against Germany.
At the same time British officials
| are as insistent as the French tina
| the entente will not be endangered
| for 1t is stated that the two govern
| ments realize that the bonds which
| hold their peoples together are no
| based upon the technicalities o
reparations. but upon their common
suffering in the common cause dur
ing the great war.