The New York herald., 1922-07-31
Paris Editor Sees
Shift by France
On Reparations
Raymond Recouly Asserts Peo-
pie Favor Solution in
Practical Spirit.

growing opinion in France which favors
the solution OF the German reparations
question ini a practical spirit. that the
solution of the European difficulties Is
not contingent upon the settlement Of
the difficulties in Russia. and that Mr..
Lloyd Georges fears of a generally in
creased armament on the part of SUBJ
merged nations. expressed in a speech
by the British Premier two days ago
based. Mr.. Recouly. In an interview.
talked freely this morning on all of
these questions
Il think growing opinion In France"
said he, "favors a solution of the repara-
tions question In practical spirit.
France can reduce the German debt
TO her in the same proportion that her
English and American debts are remitted.
You see, France has the moral argu-
ment. She was a battlefield Of the war.
Not only did German guns work havoc,
but American and English guns also
destroyed the property of France.
I'VE do not want Germany to pay
what she cannot pay. After 1870 we
had Ave years to pay. but actually paid
in two to get German soldiers off our
soil. Germany has not approached the
problem as we did. For Instance, i have
learned on highest authority that about
10000. 100000 gold marks have been
sent abroad by Germans Why even
the servants in the Hotel Adlon. where
stayed in Berlin recently. are buying
pound sterling and dollars"
Fundamental Question.
Mr.. Recouly asserted that the ques-
ton of interallied debts and reparations
was fundamental in the solution OF all
A..
icaL. He thought the Russian problem
was not the determining factor in the
European situation, although the Russo
German treaty was an important factor
In the political situation. When asked
for figures on what might be the possi
bile remission of French reparations
claims, he said he could not give them.
The irreducible minimum would seem
to be a reparation payment for the
restoration Of the devastated areas" he
observed. IT have recently been in the
war zone. 1t was surprising to find the
fields under cultivation. The wheat crop
of France last year approached very
nearly the pre-war yield.
I'm Ave. years Rheims will be rebuilt.
Half of the city is now restored. France
has spent approximately $4,000, 900. 900
francs exclusively for restoration in the
thus far amount to almost nothing. This
has been the great setback to France, for
the devastated areas before the war paid
one fifth of the taxes of France"
Mr.. Recouly thought the situation in
Germany was in a state of unstable
equilibrium" He said France favored
the continuance of the republic. He is
convinced that as the German people are
not accustomed to republic. serious sit
uations. may develop. Mr.. Recouly re-
ferred 70 the statement Of Prof. Einstein
In Paris that nearly all the students
and pr professors are royalists. perhaps one
in fifty being a Socialist. Then there are
the ex-army officers. who will not work
because they are not accustomed to do
so. and who are back Of the monarchist
plots. No one really knows which way
Germany is going, he said.
Sees Long Lease for Poincnre.
Mr. Recouly asserted that there is no
change in the political situation in
France. and that President Poincare is
assured of a long lease of power.
AS to Lloyd Georges recent refer
ence to submerged nations preparing for
war by increased preparations both naval
and military, he said he thought he had
Germany In mind. 1t was suggested hat
Lloyd George might possibly mean
France. following an intimation to that
effect this morning by Lionel Curtis, but
Mr.. Recouy said that was not his in
depreciation. Nor did he think that the
Prime Minister had in mind Poland or
Czecho-Slovakia.
"Mr. Lloyd George is a friend OF
France" he said. There have been diff
ferences, II is true, but he has been uni
ri IL a. II.
are as tragic as Lloyd George states. AS
for France, we have reduced our military
budget from five billion to three billion
francs
Mr. Recouly accompanied Myron T..
Herrick to the United States, and said
the Ambassador was greatly beloved in
France.
Lionel Curtis faced an audience last
night which taxed the capacity of
Chaplin Hall and vas equal to any that
heard his late predecessor. Lord Bryce.
The British delegation. which consists
of Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis and Philip Kerr,
spent a quiet day.
Mr.. Curtis walked down the street this
morning to replenish his supply of cigars.
He says he smokes cigars only when in
America and South Africa.
Commenting upon his lecture last
fIer device, he said he was going to
induce Lloyd George TO get amplifying
devices in England. II don't think
Mr. Lloyd George knows about them" :"
added Mr.. Curtis. II know he'll get
them for his election campaign. for he
always wants an audience of at least
5000"
Rehabilitation of Europe.
The round table on the rehabilitation
of Europe under the executive direc-
ton OF DIR. B. NJ. Anderson of the Chase
National Bank and Paul NJ. Warburg
will hold it's first session tomorrow.
Both DR.. Anderson and Mr.. Warburg
are in Williamstown tonight. Mr..
Warburg Is living in West College. one
OF the Williams College dormitories.
There has been an unusual demand by
members for enrolment in this round
table, but the number has been limited
to twenty participating members. with
special permission for correspondents to
report the session.
The other tables TO hold sessions to-
morrow are as follows: Problems Of
eastern and southeastern Europe. chair
man, Prof Robert II. Lord of Harvard
State succession and peace treaties.
chairman Prof. Jesse S. Reeves of the
University Of Michigan: Central Amer
lea and Caribbean area. chairman. DIT.
Leo s. Rowe, director-genoral Of the
Pan-American Union modern China,
her problems and policies. chairman.
Dr. Stanley X Hornbeck of Washing
ton: foreign policies of Soviet Russia.
chairman, DR. Alfred T.. p. Dennis OF
Washington: the Pacific Ocean and its