The Washington herald., 1922-01-06
Allied Supreme Council
Begins Most Crucial
Meeting.
NO TALK OF WAR
OR LAND SEIZURE
U. S. Representatives on
Sidelines Interested in
Trade Revival.


the building of the Versailles
treaty. The conference will mark
the first turning point since the
war in at least three major Eu-
/ ropean policies:
l. Franco British relations and
the future OF the entente cordiale.
now in existence for more than a
| decade.
.. The future attitude of the al
lies towards Germany. which must
undergo a radical change II Eu-
rope Is to be stabilized.
3. Readjustment of the economic
balance in Europe, smashed by the
war.
Each of the great nations that
| enters into the parley has certain
\ impelling motives which demand the
hewing out of new agreements and
new policies.
Britain Needs Trade.
England is faced by Industrial
unemployed. The markets of Rus
|
| are closed because of financial dis
ruption in those countries. and
| England is seeking international
cooperation which will stabilize
the economic situation and permit
the resumption Of trade with the
| now bankrupt countries. for for
eign trade Is the most vital ques-
ton of Great Britain's national life.
France Is confronted with serious
| financial difficulties. owing to Ger
mans failure to pay her Install
ments on the reparations bill, or
| to assist in restoring the devastated
regions. In this connection, France
has already advanced to her own
people 5000. .oeo, 900 francs on Ger
many's account. France wants the
| Versailles treaty reaffirmed and
| enforced and she wants Germany
to pay whatever cash the Berlin
government can be made to pay.
Z. =. on sideIines.
! Italy, like England, wants eco-
nomic reconstruction which VIII
enable her to trade with her neigh
bors belgium wants her full
priority on Germany's first repara-
tions payments maintained.
Meanwhile. representatives Of the
United States. resting on the side
| lines and watchfully waiting, are
| directly interested in the revival of
| trade which will enable debtor ma
tions to get on their feet and be-
| gin to pay at least the interest on
the war loans made to them by
America. incidentally. the Ameri-
cans are interested to some extent
| in the priority claims of Belgium.
since many American fnanciers
have heavy claims on Belgium
which will be met out of these
payments by Germany
There is one unusual feature Of
this momentous gathering. No
where is there talk of war. or any
semblance of military tinEe to
the coming transactions. Nor is
there any rumor of military action
against Germany or further occu-
ration of German territory as pun
ishment for her sins Of omission
regarding the Versailles treaty.
1t is understood that Premier
BRAND of France is now as dis
tinctly opposed 70 taking further
guarantees" in territory as is
Lloyd George.
-Four Conferences Held.
Four separate conferences were
held today preliminary to the main
session tomorrow. Premier BRAND
took part in all of them, talking
first with Premier Theunis and For
eign Minister Jasper of Belgium
then with Baron Hayashi and Wis.,
count Ishii of Japan, later with Mar
uuis Della loretta, Italian foreign
minister. and finally with Lloyo
George.
1t was announced at the conclu-
sion of these conferences that the
allied premiers have decided that the
first session of the council Will be
devoted to general discussion of the
European economic situation, or
which each nation will outline It's
views.
This would indicate that the Brit
ish contention regarding the agenda
has prevailed, Lloyd George having
maintained throughout that TN
question of economic Rehabilitation
and reparations are so closely IN
tertwined that they must be treated
simultaneously. The French liad
taken the position that the repara'
tions problems should be first ano
foremost among those taken up.
BRAND Apparently Worried.
Eriand returned from his confer
eEce with Lloyd George apparently
worried and tired out. It is inti'
mated nevertheless that the Frenci
lpr emier will continue to press MS
IeLinion that the question of repa
rations IL the most vital matter te
be considered.
The French delegation announced
that quite naturally, each natior
has its own ideas as to the RELATIVE
Importance of reparations to itself.
1t Is generally believed that httl,
Eprogress was made by either pre-
niier in their talk of this afternoon
and 1t has been announced that thu
supreme council will appoint a sub
committee to continue the discus
sicn of all unsettled questions.
Delegates in the hotel Iobbte'
generally reflect the feeling of ten.
sion and gloom. and the usual.
lopen sources OF information have
be come exceedingly close -mouthed
The financial experts devoted to-
lay to study of the reparations
Isituation, laying aside the problem
Of an allied consortium for the time
being.