The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-27
ENGLAND
INTERESTED
IN new Plan

LIN NLW Z LAlV
Proposed A djust1nent
Of German Repara-
tons by American
Cofnn1is ssion ReViVes
Hope III / .ondon
London, Dee 81 eBy the Associ-
ated Press Some form of inter-
vention or mediation by the United
States IN the reparafions problem,
as now reported in auth heritafive
quarters, has revived strong inter
est in London and has not failed
to attract the attention of the Brit
ish public generally, owing to the
confirmed belief that only through
a satisfactory settlement of this
problem can England hope to sur
mount its unemployment difficult
ties.
Since the disapp ppointmentr recent
~ experience when hopes had
been aroused OF q loan to Ger
many being promoted IN America.
there has BEEN less disp osition to
indulge in sangaine speeulatf
based on the present unoffcial and
informal pour parlers. For this
reason also. it may be supposed, the
British government is disinehned
to make any open pronouncement
on the subject at least until the
new move has attained a more def
mite form, but it is known the Brit
ish, like other European govern
ments, would be enIy too ready to
welcome the slightest sign Of the
American government or people
taking any active interest in the
problem. 81
Key Remains In Paris.
Here, as always, it is recognized
that the real key to the problem
lies in Paris. It is understood the
conversations between the French
and British governments are con-
tinuing in an endeavor to find
some ground ofiagreement for the
adjourned conference OF the pre-
n.eiers to be held in Paris January
2 Premier Poincare's speech in
the French senate today seems to
show but little change in attitude
on the part Of the French govern
ment, but the general belief in Lon
don is that should the prospect
again rise OF inducing America to
interest herself In Europess prob-
lens, the French chamber would.
perhaps, be wiling to yield some
what In its heretofore intransigeant
attitude on reparations.
| Recent speculations here and in
Paris have turned mainly on the
possibility Of reeonvening some sort
Of international bankers confer
ence, but the proposal now made
of an international commission to
visit Germany on mission Of in-
vestigation has received even q
warmer welcome.
The Times financial column, ap-
proving the project says: AT
best the fixation OF the definite
sum Germany IS able to pay will
be largely matter OF. guess work,
but we ought to take pains to, get
the best possible guess. The work
of the comHaission would be great
ly facilitated if Germany would put
into operation her plans to stabilize
the mark. So long as imitation con-
tinues any estimate ct her capac-
ity to pay must necessarily be a
wild guess y .
Discussed In Editorial
The Times, in an editorial dis
cussing the Baldwin mission, al
lludes to its statement relative to
the proposed visit Of an American
commission to Germany and says
there is no doubt that British gov
ernment would not disapprove OF
the proposal to summon an inter-
national bankers committee to
determine Germany's capacity to
pay; the suggestion that the rep-
arations total should be fixed by a
lcommittee composed entirely OF
American business men does not
warrant serious cnnsid Grafton.
The Times argues that such a
time could only approach the ques-
ton of Germany's capacity to pay
from the point Of view Of an is
suing house invited to raise loan
for Germany. -
On the question Of the Baldwin
| mission to the United States, The
Times suggests the desirability OF
the funding being arranged on the
basis of an annuity of a fixed
amount payable to the government
and that it should not be converted
into n marketable loan. 1t would
also be an advantage if arrange
ments could be made under which
England could anticipate redemp-
ton of the debt from time to
time by payments under a dis
count.
NEW CHARTERS ISSUED