Evening journal., 1922-12-19
Commission
TO CONSIDER
new WAR BILL
FOR GERMANY

CONTINUED From First Page.)
willing to adopt a more lenient pol
icy on the question OF collection on
the allied war debt 10 this country;
that it is ready TO consider the obH-
cations Of each Of the debtor coun-
tries on their own merits. granting
more leniency in the terms OF collec-
ton TO these countries less able TO
pay.
Should this far reaching program
be worked out the United States
may later suggest other important
International moves such as a pact
20 preserve peace and TO limit land
armament.
The reason for the mysterious
stone wall OF silence that has been
maintained by official Washington
since Il first became evident that the
United States intended 10 intervene
in Europe is because Of the delicate
stage of negotiations incident to
putting the plan into effect.
This government. by informal in
quiries, has been sounding out the
European countries concerned 10
ascertain whether they would vel
come such an offer OF cooperation
from America before extending
such an invitation.
With conversations and exchanges
passing back and forth almost hourly
between the United States and the
governments OF Europe and Presi-
dent Harding meeting today with his
cabinet. developments may come at
any time that will put the American
plans into motion or perhaps cause
them 10 be dropped in failure.
Il Is admitted here that one OF the
greatest questions in success OF the
plan is the reception that will be
given the suggestion by France. II
g. hoped that France will cooperate |
for II Is believed that this will be |
the only attempt by this government |
20 aid IN the settlement OF the Euro !
pean problem and the French will
he so informed.
Also. there may be developments |
10 change the plan somewhat from !
the outline given in this dispatch. II |
was said in one authoritative quar- /
Ter that some word had been re- |
reived from Germany that might !
tend TO broaden the American plan. /
Just what form the American in
v.tatlon viii take II the informal
"feelers" assure a favorable recep- |
ton abroad has not yet been reveal
ed. Il rs probable. however, that !
n Joint note may be dispatched 10 /
Great Britain. France. Italy, Ger
many. Belgium and perhaps. as
matter OF form 10 Japan, setting
forth the American offer.
The United Press IS informed en-
by A high authority OF the
that should France oc-
cupv the Ruhr or take other drastic
stems the United States would pro-
test most vigorously.
However. there is a feeling here
that France does not really intend
10 occupy the Ruhr and that Premier
Poincare has given up any hope OF
collecting 900, 100000 from Germany
as contemplated by the present re-
total OF more than $780,
200. 900, 900 a figure regarded here
ms entirely too high. II was noted
that American program dovetails In
with the announcement OF j 2. Nor
gan and Company that no loan can
no made by private bankers TO Ger
many until the PREPARATIONS question
is settled
II Is believed that II such a loan
finally comes it will not be as large
81 500. 900. 0OO-the amount mention
ed in some press rumors. In grant
ing more leniency in the refund
ing OF the war debt. the government
viii have to ask Congress for amend
TO the present law which I'M
noaes strict terms on the debtor ma
ions.