Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-19
j. s. TO invite
ALLIEDPOVERS
SETTLEMENT
Believe German Repara'
tiOns Are Keynote To
Entire Affair.
Would Set Reparation Figure At
Sum Germany Could Afford To Pay
Would Rather Germany Pay a
Little Than Owe Much.
NV United Press. }

Washington, Dec. 19-The United
/ States, as the outstanding move IN
its plan to avert a collapse in the
Old World, is aout to invite the Eu-
ropean powers TO make a final at
| tempt to settle the German repara-
tions problem, it was learned from
the most authoritative sources here
! today.
The "plan" of the United States
for intervention in the European sit
uation, which has rocked two CONT
rents with excitement and anticipa-
! ton partly because of the deep mys-
| terry surrounding it, can now be re-
/ vealed BY the United Press. It fol-
lows:
believing that PREPARATIONS is
the key to the present European crisis
the nited States will participate in
a commission or some other form OF
official inquiry to establish an exact
figure for Germany to pay. 1t would
be figure that wodid constitute just
reparatiOns for the war-an amount
that would be up to Germany's capa-
city to pay, but not beyond.
2-If settlement of the repara-
tions problem can be effected by an
agreement among the European Pow
el,s on such figure, the United States
can give assurances that American
bankers stand ready to advance a
loan, with the proper securities, suf-
ficient TO put Germany on her feet
and sart her towards authorization OF
the indemnity.
3-Finally, the United States Gov
ernment is willing to adopt a more
,Ienieat policy on the question of col
lection of m Allec war debt to this
country; that is, it is ready to con-
cider the obligation of each of the
debtor countries on their own merits,
granting more leniency in the terms
of collection 10 those countries less
able TO pay.
Should this far reaching program
be worked oct, the United States may
later suggesc other important inter
national moves, such as pact to pre-
serve place and to limit land adma
ment.
The reason for the mysterious
stone wall Of silence that has been
maintained by official Washington
since il :irst became evident that the
United States intended to intervene
in, the European situation, is because
of the delicate s.age Of the negotia-
tions incident to putting the plan
into effect.
With CO, versations and exchanges
passing back and forth almost hourly
between the United States and the
Governments of Europe, and President
Harding meeting today with his Cab
met, developments may come at any
time that will put the American plans
into motion, or perhaps cause them
to be dropped in failure.
It is admitted here that one of the
greatest questions in success of the
plan is the reception that will be given
the suggestion by France, it is hoped
France will cooperate, for it is be-
lieved that this will be the only at
tempt by this Government to aid in
settlement of the European prob
lem and the French will be so in
formed.
Also. there may be developments
to change the plan somewhat from the
outline given in this dispatch. 1t was
said in one authoritative quarter to-
day that some word had been re-
ceived from Germany that might tend
to broaden the American plan.
Just what form the American in
v;+,t;o, will take II the informal "feel
abroad. has not yet been revealed.
1t is proba bic, however, that joint
note NAV be dispatched to Great Bri-
tain, France. Italy, Germany, Bel.
gium and perhaps as matter OF
form to Japan, setting forth the Anne
rican offer. .t.tJ.
The nited Press is informed en-
phatically by high authority of the
Government that should France oc-
cupy the Ruhr. or take some other
such drastic step, the United States
would protest most vigorously.
However, there is feeling here
that France does not really intend
TO occupy the Ruhr and that Premier
Poinare also has giten up any hope
of collecting S900,000000 year from
Germany, as contemplated by the pre-
sent reparations total Of more than
$40, ,000, 100000 a figure regarded here
as entirely too high. -"
II was noted that American pro-
gram dovetails in with the announce
ment of j. 2. Morgan and Co.. that
! no loan can be made by private bank
ers to Germany. until. the reparatiens
question is settled. l. also believed
that if such loan finally comes, it
will not be as large as S1,500, 900, 900
the amount mentioned in some press
ruuors IN granting more len;elt'y in
the refundine- of the var debt, the
I government will have t0 ask Congress
! for amendments to the present law,
which impose strict terms or the deb
tor nations.