The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-12-11
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<<ebt Issue
British Premier Indicates Gov
crnment Is Willing TO Recon-
siJcr Cancellation Of War
Obligations Of France.
Agreement More Likely

London. Dec. 10.-tBy a. Pl--Prc-
mier Bonar Law caused sensation
at the second session of the allied
premiers when, in the course
of his reply to NJ. Poincare's s
moratorium plan, he gave clear indi-
cation that the British government
would be quite willing TO reconsider
the question of cancellation of the
French debt, provided such n step was
made possible by reparations settle
ment satisfactory to Great Britain.
Mr.. Bonar Law had previously init
mated that Americas insistence on
the payment of the British debt, had
made 1t very difficult for England to
discuss remission of the French war
debt
The British prime minister's decla.
rations at the afternoon meeting
greatly encouraged Premier Poincare,
who was extremely pessimistic early
in the day over the outcome of the
conversations.
Agreement More Likely.
While the premiers are far from an
accord as yet, It was said by the
French delegation that Mr.. Bonar
Laws pronouncement on the debts
had made an agreement much more
likely
Premier Bonar Law began by say.
ing that the Balfour note no longer
exists for the British government and
that he was free to consider the whole
question.
Il am prepared to reconsider the
question of cancellation of debts" he
went on, IF such cancellation would
insure a settlement satisfactory to the
British government"
M. Poincare, although reserving his
formal reply TO the new suggestion
until Sunday, expressed deep pleasure
at the British attitude.
Outlines Demands.
The British prime NJ mister briefly
outlined the kind of settlement he de
sired-a moratorium sufficient to
Germany to re-establish its finances
and credit and stabilize the mark, no
military action of any character by
the French and a reduction of the in
demnty to between 1000 900 900 and
4U,OUb, ,UDV,UOU SOiu lfldrkS.
This statement is expected to have
the effect of making NJ. Poincare
more conciliatory and less inclined to
talk about military measures, al.
though he himself believes that mill
tary measures would not prove very
effective. Another new element which
may help the conference is an agree.
ment developed tonight, when 1t be
came known that Karl Bergman, Ger
man reparations chief. had arrived in
London with Chancellor Cuno's new
scheme for settlement.
Herr Bergman communicated the
plan to Bonar Law, who, in turn, will
probably present it to the other pre-
niers Sunday. Britain has in no
sense approved the suggestions.
Plan for Loan Dropped.
Certain changes have been made
in the plan as announced by the Ger.
man press several days ago and 1t is
reported that the idea of an external
loan has been dropped for scheme
of allied participation In German in.
dustry.
America was prominently before the
discussion, despite absence of the Gus
tomary official observers. Americas
position regarding the allied debts
was discussed at some length by the
premiers, who apparently agreed that
any settlement of this question for
at least several years would probably
have to be made with the United
States out of it.
There continues to be much com
ment over the presence of Amer
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