Evening star., 1922-10-25

The unanimous decision to go to
Berlin was taken after Sir John
Bradbury definitely had made known
that he. on behalf of Grear Brita in
was willing to vote to declare Ger
many in voluntary default of her
agreement should she refuse to carry
out within a reasonable time requests 5
for tn" internal reforms which the
commission will make in Berlin.
TINS was Il big surprise to the
reparations commission. since it was
n decided concession to the French
viewpoint
Heretofore the British representa-
tive had refused to declare Germany
in default under any conditions, and
also had declined to be party to
any move which might be construed
as interfering with Germany's in
ternal affairs.
Britain's Viewpoint.
Sir John had told NJ Barthou. the
French representative on the COM
mission. that he thinks the commits
sion has the right to suggest" GER
tain reforms in Germany's internal
budget may he balanced and the
mark stabilized. Should Germany
fail TO make every effort to put the
proposed reforms into effect and
thereby jeopardize her indemnity
payments, Sir John thinks the time
would then have arrived for the
commission normally 10 declare Ger
many in voluntary default.
1t is not unlikely that the British
already have obtained certain con-
cessfons from the French govern
inent in return. 1t is reported that
these may take the form of indefi-
nitely postponiug the Brussels finan-
cial conference. leaving the entire
PREPARATIONS problem in the hands of
the commission. Il point upon which
tth N Er. a
ly InSiStent.
The fact that the committee on
guarantees is not TO accompany the
PREPARATIONS commission to Berlin is
taken here to mean that France also
has altered her viewpoint, since the
original French plan would have in
trusted the imposition of new reforms
TO the committee.
Measures Yet to BE Decided.
The exact character of the meas
ures to be imposed on Germany will
be decided by the commission between
now and Sunday. certain general ideas
already having been broadly agreed
10. The commission. however, re-
alizes that inquiry in Berlin may
force changes, and it. therefore.
will leave its decisions open to pos
sible alteration.
The cravest of reports concerning
the financial condition in Germany
nave rtdCleu the Preparations COM
mission during the last two days.
These reports had much to do with
the decision of the commission to
proceed to Berlin. Roland W. Boy
den. the American unofficial observer
on the commission, was one of the
first to suggest the advisability of
an inquiry as to the best means for
determining what additional reforms
should be imposed.
Members of the commission are
agreed that the time has come to
take radical action on the German
situation if the complete financial
breakdown of Germany is to be
avoided. The British still hold that
A long moratorium will be necessary
TO place Germany on her financial
feet, aside from the good effect the
new reforms may have. The Amer
lean observer is believed to have in
dorSed this View. The French still
maintain that with the faithful car
rying out of the new measures Ger
many soon will be able to resume re-
duced. but nevertheless substantial
cash payments on her obligations.