Evening star., 1922-12-09
MORATORIUM GETS
0. K. Of FRENCH IF
It IS GUARANTEED
Poincare Longest on Floor at
Opening of Premiers' Ses-
sions in London.
FRENCH IN DESPERATION
SEE ONLY TWO COURSES
Say Immediate Cash Must Be OBJ
tanned or Will Act Alone in
Invading Ruhr.
Ey the Associated Press.

Fly the ASSocia ted Press.
LONDON, December ?.-Premier
Poincare. toward the close of the
first session of the conference OF
allied premiers here today. is under
stood to have said that France would
consent to a moratorium of two years
for Germany if certain economic
guarantees accompanied it.
The premlers held a two-hour
session this afternoon, adjourning
for luncheon shortly before pm.
The heads of all four delegations
British, French, Italian and Belgian
addressed the gathering, Premier
Poincare of France holding the
floor the longest.
While Premier Poincare was re-
ported not to have reached the point
of definite proposals. he declared the
reparations question had arrived ~
stage where something radlGal
must be done He came prepared. he
said. to discuss with the others what
action should be taken. France
great interests. he insisted, must be
recognized.
Those present besides the premiers
we're the finance ministers OF Great
Britain. France and Belgium. Count
de Saint Anlaire. ;a the n,piS.nr prench aas- am-
par of Belgium and the Italian mem
bers of the reparations commission.
Poincare In Good Spirits.
NJ. Poincare appeared perturbed
when he left his hotel for the con-
ference, having just made denial OF
n charge that France intends to annex
the Rhine region. He was in good
spirits, however. when he returned,
from which the French attaches drew
the inference that the conference was
going well.
In connection with the conference it
was noted this morning that Karl
Rergmann, the German financial ex-
pert. had arrived in London.
Premier Poincare, as the spokesman
for the nation most directly concerned
with the troublesome reparations
problem, was expected to take occa-
sion at the first meeting with Mr..
Bonar Law to state definitely that
France has absolutely no desire to
take over the Rhineland- Members of
the French delegation believed that
the premier would point out that
France. understanding the futi1ity of
annexation of the Rhineland-a step
which has been suggested-knows
fully well that such action would only
create another Alsace-Lorraine and
eventually another war.
In the opinion of the French. their
nation would only control the Rhine
land along economic lines during the
term of moratorium, collecting taxes
and running the railroad lines as a
guarantee of Germany's promise to
carry out the reforms that would in
sure payment of her bill.
May Have to Act Alone.
II 1T seems impossible to reach an
agreement this time on the repara-
tions question. 1t is believed NJ Pom
care would say to Mr.. Bonar Law, in
effect:
We are prepared to agree to a
moratorium. but only on the condi-
ton that we take over administration
of the Rhineland and occupy with one
division certain parts of the Ruhr.
We want England to cooperate with
US. but if you don't we must act
alone"
The French premier. it is apparent.
is prepared to examine all proposals
for settlement of the German ac-
count but he is determined to exact
guarantees. He will not look upon
failure to reach an agreement as a
collapse of the entente, believing that
the link between Great Britain and
France would remain unbroken, with
France temporarily acting alone.
Britain and Italy Silent.
4 statement of the positions to be
taken by Britain and Italy in the
week end of conversations was eager
" awaited. Premier Mussolini, ar
irving here last night. gave no inti-
nation of his views on the repara-
tions question.
Mr. Bonar Law. it is believed, may
present no program. preferring that
the British government should main
tain receptive attitude.
The arrival of the new German pro-
posals. which were reported yester-
day to be on the way from Berlin,
was also awaited with interest. I'm
official adviccs said that Chancellor
Cuno's suggestions included provi-
sion for extension of the moratorium
granted conditionally upon the recent
payment of treasury notes to Bel
Eium. The extension, the German gov
ernment is held to believe. should go
beyond the Brussels conference, on
the ground that the future of the
reparations question hinged on the
outcome of that gathering.