New Britain herald., 1922-12-29
WILL N0T
 SELECT BOARD NOW
J. s. Chamber Replies to Plea
 From German Organization

try, mas made known It's willingness
 to have the reparations problem ar.
 bitrated and a definite figure fixed by
 an Independent commission of Ameri.
 can business men. President Julius
 H. Barnes of the Chamber of Com
 merce of the United States made pub
 lie telegram received last Tuesday
 from the largest organization of Ger.
 man business, the German industrie-
 und-Handelstag.
 Replying to the request which ex-
 pressed the views of the Berlin gov
 ernment, MT. Barnes sent cable-
 gram to the German business organ,-
 zation in which he declared that the
 Chamber of Commerce would give the
 request its consideration, but declined
 to name a commission at this time. The response to the German re-
 quest, it was understood, was based on
 unwillingness to take any action on
 this country which might interfere
 with what the administration Is doing
 to help a solution of the separations
 snarl. That the idea of general con-
 ference is taking definite shape in case
 the conference of PremiersT fails. is
 becoming more and more evidens.
 The German Letter.
 Following is MT. Barnes statement covering the cable correspondence be- | tween the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrie und Handelstag: Berlin, December 25, 1922. Julius Fl. Barnes. President, "'Chamber of Commerce of the. United States Washington:
 "The German Industrie und Han delstag states that the failure to agree on definite settlement of reparations within the ability of Germany exer- cised in good faith to the utmost to pay continues a state of financial and commercial chaos from which not only Germany but the whole world must suffer.
 'Second-That the, difference of the views as to what and how Ger many can pay in restitution would seem to be susceptible of a solution by independent and impartial business judgment.
 "Third-That Germany greatly de- sires such an expression of business judgment on her capacity to pay that shall at least clarify her position.
 'Fourth-The German Industrie und Handelstag, therefore, as the leading commercial body of Germany, address themselves to the leading commercial body of the United States 1 (the Chamber of Commerce of the | United States) and inquire whether l that chamber in simple justice to Ger many, and for whatever basis it may later provide as a possible. settlement l of this question which lies at the root l of all financial and commercial dis | order in Europe will appoint com mission of outstanding character, l ability and impartiality to express thus an American opinion on this question.
 "5. AS the German Industrie und | Handelstag only desire completely fair expression, they agree in advance to the propriety of the principle to be accepted and exercised by Ger many in good faith, that the amount and methods suggested shall be al recognition that Germany shall make | restitution to the utRost of it's ability | without involving the destruction of its earning and producing power, and | holding forth some reasonable ex- pectation of an ultimate settlement | of the obligation.
 '6. The German Industrie und | Handelstag maintain that the curren- cy instability has been the necessary result of reparations and other de- 1 mands beyond its capacity to meet l and extend assurance that if this ex- presSion leads to settlement of the separations and other burdens within the definition of the principle laid down, Germany intends to immediate ly thereafter take steps to stabilize it's currency in the interest of financial order at home and the encouragement of foreign commerce.
 TT. The German Industrie-und know that the German government would be pleased to well come such commission and would be ready to open to such a commis- sion all sources of information they might require and the German Indus- .rie-und Handelstag express the hope hat, if this is done, the other inter- ssted countries would also place their information and views before such al 
 Franz von Mendelssohn, president.
 The American Reply.
 Washington, December 28, 1922.
 Franz von Mendelssohn, president, Deutscher Industrie- Handelstag, Berlin, Germany.
 The Chamber of Commerce of the United States is impressed with the solemn responsibility which com pliance with the request in your com- would lay upon American business leadership. We realize the great forces for good which would follow a definite and practical solu- ton of the reparations question which today destroys the atmosphere of peace in which alone Europe can re- build its broken processes. and with these thoughts in mind we are giv- Ing your request our serious consid4j eration.
 we welcome the reaffirmation of the recognition by Germany as ex- pressed by you of the obligation to make restitution to the utmost. Based on this principle, the determination of the amount of reparations and .he methods of payment to make ef- 'ective at the earliest possible mo- nent the restitution to which the al jed countries are justly entitled, and ,ot to tighten the rightful obligation of Germany should be susceptible of determination by honest judgment, to the interest of world peace and free from any political or