The New York herald., 1922-12-30
SECRETARY BLAMES
POSTWAR POLITICS
Intimates U. S. Financicrs
Would Help in a Plan for
Aid if Asked.
NOT AFTER PREPARATIONS
Harding's Chief Cabinet Off
Ger at New Haven Deplores
Conditions Abroad.
NOT AFTER PREPARATIONS

Special Dispatch 10 THE New YORK HERALD.
NEw HAVEN, Conn, Dec. 29.--Charles
L. Hughes. Secretary of State. told
members OF the American Historical
association in an address here to-
night that an Independent commission
OF men competent in financial affairs
could accomplish more than a general
solution of the European reparations
troubles. Distinguished Americans,
the Secretary said. would no doubt be
willing to serve on such commits
sion. which he said might well be kept
free from any responsibility to foreign
offices or any duty to obey political
instructions.
The Secretary expressed the opinion
that once advantage had been taken
of the opportunities that such a COM
mission would afford the avenues OF
American helpfulness could not fail
TO open hopefully. Recognizing that
the question of reparations lay at the
root OF any economic settlement, the
Secretary said that he did not believe
the United States should take such a
responsible burden as assuming the
role Of arblter in the dispute.
Gets Cordial Greeting.
The audience OF 1000 that heard Sec
retary Hughes speak In Woolsey Hall
ra,e hin, n cordiaf ora,tipo yIo x,,a-
clapped heartily when he arrived and
again when he had finished speaking.
but the address was broken only once
by applause This handrlapping came
when the Secretary, talking OF the pro-
posed commission to study the repara-
tions problem. said that its members
should be men freed from any RESPONSE
bllity to foreign offices and from any
duty to obey political instructions.
The Secretary was met at the railroad
station by President James Rowland
Angel and professors Max Farrand and
G. II. Haring when he arrived from
Washington mt six o'clock this evening.
The party motored TO President Angell's
home for dinner. Sir Robert l.. Borden.
former Premier of Canada, who has
been in this city two days in connection
with the annual meetings OF ten national
historical societies. was also n guest.
Secretary Hughes started late tonight
by train for Washington.
Alarm Over Europe, says UuGbes.
IN leading up 10 his suggestion for an
international commission OF financiers
to work out a reparations plan, Mr..
hughes said:
THE economic conditions I'm Europe
give us the greatest concern. They have
long received the earnest consideration
Of the Administration. IL Is idle to say
that we are not Interested I'm these prob
lems fo- we are deeply interested from
an economic standpoint, as our credits
and markets are involved, and from
humanitarian standpoint. as the heart of
the American people goes out to those
who are I'm distress
we cannot dispose OF these problems
by calling them European. for they are
world problems and We cannot escape
the injurious consequences of a failure
TO settle them.
"They are. however European prob
lens In the sense that they cannot he
solved without the consent of European
Governments. We cannot consent for
them. The key 10 the settlement Is In
their hands. not In ours.
The crux Of the European situation
lies tn the settlement OF separations.
There will be no adjustment OF other
needs. however pressing, until definite
and accepted basis for the discharge Of
rcparations claims has been fixed. II Is
futile TO attempt TO erect any economic
structure In Europe until the foundation
is laid.
Not Seeking Our Ucpnrntfons.
How can the United States help In
this matter7 We arc not seeking repa-
rations. We are indeed asking for the
reimbursement Of tho costs OF our army