The New York herald., 1922-12-12
Suggested Britain Ask I. s.
to Cancel French Debt or
Enter Negotiations.
FIND NO OTHER REMEDY
England Will Offer No Protest
if France Decides on Force
in Germany.

LONDON. Dec II Associated Press).
The allied Powers tonight seem to
be looking to the United States as a
Entente over reparations, following
upon the collapse to-day of the Lon
don conversations held as a prelimi-
nary to the Brussels conference. De-
spite official explanations and the de-
cision 10 continue the discussion In
Paris, early next month, the allied
Premiers after three days interchange
of views, are in complete disagree
ment Adjournment is an effort to de-
lay the apparently inevitable split.
The Premiers when they meet
again on January 2. will have but two
weeks TO agree upon some program
as the moratorium granted the Ger
mans expires January Is. and the
next payment on account of repara-
tons, which Germany protests she Is
unable to meet, will be due on that
date.
NJ. Poincare will return to Paris to-
iioTIoW Will the IephidtioHS piooieih
as far from even temporary settle
ment as when he arrived although his
demand for partial occupation OF tho
Ruhr broke up the conference.
Many French observers believe
France will never go this far in ex-
| acting guarantees, and 1t is regarded
| likely that Great Britain will make an
4 offer to France before adopting a
policy OF isolation, which may be an
offer to cancel the French debt pro-
vided France accepts reasonable In
/ demnity and gives UP the idea Of
measures of force.
britain May Approach u. 8.
1t Is thought possible in French quar-
ters that the British might approach
President Harding's Administration be-
tween now and January. to ascertain IL
the United States would be willing 20
make possible European settlement OF
reparations by cancellation OF the
French debt, or at least enter confer
ence in which such step would be con-
sidered.
The possibility of the United States
canceling the French debt now is adj
mittedly remote. although one view is
that she might consent to long delay
without interest. IL she had promise
of the payment OF the British debt in
full, which the British consider she has.
The Premiers. however. are prepared 10
I a.
of the United States. 1t has been as
serted that Great Britain might cancel
the French debt II this would help the
economic life of the Continent. but this
would have to he based on some under
standing with the United States over
the British debt.
The French say that the conference
has not been fruitless. as IT established
that the Balfour note no longer exists.
The French say that the Italians have
made big stride toward the French
view on guarantees. although Mussoiini
does not approve OF military action In
the Ruhr.
II is certain that VI. Poincare's atti-
tude In London was due to the pressure
OF the Nationalist bloc in the Chamber.
which Informed him that II would toll
crate no weakening The British were
equally firm In refusing to indorse Poin-
cares measures Of force. They assert
that the projected measures are PEN
alties. not economic guarantees.
No breaking of the Entente.
| NJ. Poincare said tonight that even
should the January meeting fall TO
produce an accord such All outcome
could not be construed as breaking UP
the entente: France would simply be
acting alone in a situation In which
ta ram n
ticipant.
French circles are specializing on the
effect the breakdown OF the present neso-
,iations will have IN France. Some OBJ
servers think II will react against the
Premier, on the theory that Poincare
has not succeeded where BRAND failed.
despite n new British Government. well
disposed toward France. Others believe
that VI. poincare's position ir secure
until after France takes independent
measures.
II is even suggested that certain
statesmen see advantages In the present
breakdown. ne they may lead the United
states 10 take some action which would
save the situation. The deal on debts
now looms as the biggest hope Of French
officials. and ~ an Arrangement can be
made In this direction II is believed they
would be willing TO fall In line with the
British solution OF the PREPARATIONS
problem.
Changes In French Attitude.
Throughout the conference the policy
Of force has clashed with that Of fore
| sight on the reparations issue. according
10 the British. with the result that the
year 1922 will end with almost az great
an allied dlscord as did the year OF 1921.
II is pointed out that the French atu-
,ude has altered since summer Even
the French no longer hone TO exaet
I "a 600 600 ono sterling r32.oo0,ooo. 900
marks goid) as set by the first repara-
I ,ions plan, but there Is still wide dif-
/ ference regarding the methods OK OBJ
/ tanning a third of that sum. which u
| Is now considered possible to obtain.
There Is said TO be hope Of further
concession on the part OF Erance be-