Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-30
AM { ER|CAN STATE
DEPARTMENT HEAD
OUTLINES METHOD.
Asserts World Financial
Stability Impossible I'm
til Problem Solved.
HOPES PREMIERS WILL
REACH SETTLEMENT
Failing to Agree, Secretary
Secs His Proposal Europe's
Bcs, Alternative.
lRy Associated Pressl

NEW HAVEN, CONN, Dec. 29-A
suSCe estion that an independent COM
mission of men competent in fnan-
c'ai affairs could accomplish more
than general international confer
ence toward solution Of the European
reparations taugle was put forward
by Secretary Hughes here tonight
in tho first public pronouncement on
the economic crisis to come from re-
sponsiblc fhcials OF tho administra-
ton at Washington
The secretary. who spoke before tho
American Historical Association. add
cd that lie had mo doubt" distin-
Suished Americans would he willing
TO serve on such a commission. which
he said might we'll he kept free fror,
any responsibility to foreign offices
or any duty to obey political in
structions. once advantaSc had
be'1 taken of the opportunities thus
afforded. he said, "the avenues or
American helpfulncss cannot fail to
open hopefully
L. =. Not Asked to Act ns Umpire.
referring to suggestions that the
United states assume the role of ar
bitter in the reparaticns dispute. MIR.
Hughes said a sufficient answer. to
mat was the fact "that we have not
been asked" He went on to say that
he did not believe this government
should rake such burden OF respon-
s!bilfty
Through his discussion the secre-
tarY recognized that the question .,e
German reparations lay at the root
q. any economic settlement The
problems abroad he said. arc world
problems. and could not be disposed
OF by calling them European.
He declared the United States
would view with disfavor measures
which. instead of producing repara-
t!ons, would threaten disaster" and
said no one could forcsec the "scri-
Gus consequences" which might en-
sue If forcible means were adopted
10 obtain reparationS from Germanv.
Trxt of Address.
Tho fun text OF Secretary Hughes
discussion OF economic problems fol-
lows:
THE economic conditions in Eu-
rope EiNc US the greatest concern.
They have long received the carneS,
consideration OF the administration
II is idle TO say that we are not in
terested in these problems. for we
are deeply interested from an eco
nomic standpoint as our credits and
markets are Involved. and from a hu-
manitarian standpoint. as the heart
OF the American people goes out to
those who are in distress
we cannot dispose OF these prob
lens by calling them European, for
they are world problems. and we can
not escape the injurious conse-
Quences of failure to settle them.
Europe Must Consent.
They are. however. European
problems IN the sense that they cam
not be solved without the consent
o: European governments. We can
not consent for them. The key TO
the settlement is in their hands. not
In ours. The crux of the European
situation lies in the settlement OF
reparations, There will be no ad
justmeat of other needs" however
pressing. until a definite and accept
ed basis for the discharge of repara
ttons claims has been fixed 1t is flu
tilo to attempt to erect any economic
structure in Europe until the founda-
tion is laid.
How can the United States heip
IN THIS matter: We are not seeking
rcparations. We are indeed asking
Tor the reimbursement or the costs OF
'Continued on Page II. Col 6.)