The New York herald., 1922-03-14
America Will Not Recede
From Position Held as
Fundamental.
UNDERSTANDING ON COST
Explicit Agreement Reached
Germany Was to Pay for
Occupation.
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New, York Herald Bureau, 1
Washington. ID. C., MnrAh IL.

Special Dispatch TO TIE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Mnr4h H.
The American position that s241,-
000, 900 is justly due this country for
expenses of maintaining the force on
the Rhine, a safeguard suggested by
the Allies as necessary after the ar
mistice, was elaborated to-day by high
officials when further reports from
abroad reflected an intention by the
Reparations Commission to disregard
the American claim
Administration officials cast aside
all intimations that the attitude of
this Government involved a new in
depreciation of the Versailles treaty.
They also rejected suggestions of for
eign origin that the American claim
brought into question the validity of
the treaty of Berlin.
1t was asserted that the American
position is so fundamental that this
Government cannot be expected to re-
cede from it, and officials were confident
the Allies would not entertain such
thought when once they fully grasp the
0neaning of Americas position.
Explicit Understanding at start.
Officials said that under the terms Of
the armistice the allied armies of occu-
patton remained in Germany with the
explicit understanding that the costs
were to be paid by Germany. The
United States Government saw no neeu
of keeping it's forces on the Rhine. but
upon allied representations that the sta
- IN
maintain good order the United States
consented. 1t is contended now that the
Allies would not be justified in taking
all German assets without reimbursing
the United States.
With regard to the contention that the
United States has not assumed obliga-
tions imposed by the treaty Of Versailles.
it. is noted that practically the only por-
tions OF that treaty now Incorporated in
the treaty of Berlin are those respecting
boundaries in Europe and other matters
purely of concern to European nations.
The contention that the American
claim came as a surprise to the Allies
is not seriously considered in officiai
quarters. From the first this Govern
ment has maintained that the costs of
maintaining the United States Army on
the Rhine must be paid. The matter has
been regarded as one entirely separate
from the question of the foreign debts
due to the United States for loans made
to the Allies Officials at the Treasury
said to-day there was no purpose to link
up the army occupation expense claim
In the funding negotiations soon TO begin
with foreign Governments.
Speculation Aroused.
The intima.ion that the American claim
brings into question the whole matter OF
rights under the treaty of Versailles, and
therefore throws doubt upon the validity
of such portions of the Berlin treaty as
make reference to the Versailles treaty,
aroused speculation, but no official COM
ment.
It was pointed out that the Allies al
ready have recognized. either tacitly or
openly, the rights of the United States
under that treaty by reason Of the fact
that they have accepted the American
position regarding mandate territories
most Of which were ceded to the prin-
cipal allied and associated Powers by
Germany in the treaty of Nersailler.
Since the cession of this territory was
made under that document, II is argued
and the Allies have practically admitted
the American interests in those terri
tmies--that there can be little question
as to their having Admitted American
rights under tie treaty. The same line
of reasoning would apply in the case OF
the former German cables. ii Is held.