New-York tribune., 1922-12-27
ReparatiOns Commission
Declares Germany Is In
Voluntary Default in
1922 Wood Deliveries
Italy and Belgium
Join Paris in Vote
Lineup Is Held Important
in View of January 2
Meeting of Premiers

fTebbjs-IHAHto beiHN"
victory in the Allied r ons Com
mission to-day, when the mission
by a vote Of three 10 one declared Ger
many In voluntary default in her wood
deliveries for 1922.
France. Belgium and Italy voted In
favor Of the declaration, and Great
Britain cast rs ballot against II.
The decision Of the commission was
communicated Immediately 70 the
Allied governments for their action.
Il may have q vital effect on the rep
arations problem II France can retain
the support Of Italy and Belgium when
the reparations question Is discussed
at the Jsnusry 2 meeting Of the Pre-
miers.
Haly's Vote Is Surprise
The lone vote cast against the dee
larstion by Great Britain was in ae-
eordance with British policy. which
has been opposed 20 declaring Ger
many in default in the fear that such
action might have a disastrous effect
on the already precarious state Of
German finance.
France Is considered 70 have scored
an important point because the de-
cision Of the commission was arrived
At on a majority vote. France had
been alone for a long time in the con-
tention that Germany could be placed
in voluntary default by a simple ma
jority vote. 1taly's support Of France
In the balloting came az a surprise
and as an indication that Premier Mus
solini Is swinging over 70 the French
in the reparations controversy.
Germany has carried out more than
90 per cent Of It's schedule Of wood
deliveries for this year. When the
German experts we're before the com
mission several weeks ago they an
nounced Germany had been unsbls 20
deliver more than she had and that
the deliveries for 1923 must be greatly
reduced.
See Unity Against Londeh
There was much comment tonight
over the fact that Great Britain had
declined 10 vote In favor Of declaring
Germany IN default, In view Of the
approaching meeting of the Premlers.
Although the deliveries Of wood in
themselves are Of less importance than
other matters connected with repaTa-
tions, the French point out that to-
days decision Is Of real value 10
Frances position on reparations, since
Il reverses the order Of things and
places Great Britain in an isolated
position on the issue.
Some Of the French observers af-
fected to see in the vote an indiea-
tion that France, Italy and Belgium
may present a united front before
Great Britain on the question Of rep
arations at the meeting here Of the
Premiers.
BERLIN. Dec. 26 (By The Associated
Press) ).-Chancellor Cuno resumed dis
cussion to-day Of the repsrations pro-
gram with his ministers. Although the
government has not yet been advised
from Paris that the Entente premiers
will receive fresh proposals, the Chan
cellor Is determined to be equipped
with ammunition Of this sort.
The Chancellor, Finance Minister
Hermes and Johannes Becker, Minister
of Economics, have been holding con-
versations with industrialists, bankers,
shipping leaders and representatives
Of Importing and exporting industries
and have kept the Reichstag leaders
and officials of the General Federation
Of Labor Unions informed Of the ma
ture Of these consultations. The Chan
cellor also has called In the leaders OF
the nationalist parties In his determi-
nation 10 effect an ultimate adjustment
Of the whole range Of reparations prob
lens.
The internal situation has been thor
ouRhly canvassed, and the Chancellor
believes he has succeeded in mobilizing
every ounce Of the nations productive
energy in response to his appeal for
cooperation.
The bulk Of opinion. as reflected in
informal talks with participants in the
conferences. appears 70 be emphatieaily
In favor Of the final hxation OF Ger
many's reparations obligations. Until
this Is done the government, II Is de-
clared, will not be In a position 10 at
tack such urgent problems as the sta
bIlization Of the mark, currency con-
traction and securing an equilibrium In
the budget. This reiteration OF the
governments attitude has brought out
declarations Of undivided support from
all the party organs.
There is some doubt, nevertheless,
whether the present international cit
uati6n is conducive 20 a final settle
ment. This Is prompted largely by the
indefinite results being obtained At the
Lausanne conference and the effect
upon the relations between London and
Paris. The American attitude toward
the impending European decisions also
is an enigma to German political
circles.