Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-12
.PO|NCARE PROPOSES
2-YEAR MORATORIUM
IF GIVEN GUARANTEES
.Bonar Law Intimates Britain
May Consider Writing Off
French Obligations At
moSphere Much Clearer

LONDON, Dec. 11.-(By the Asso-
ciated Press. 1.-The clouds that over.
hung Preparations conference Friday
night have been partly dispelled by
Saturdays proceedings. The four pre-
miers, Bonar Law, Poincare,
Theunys and Mussolini, held two
meetings lasting five hours. There
was nothing approaching an agree.
ment nor had any agreement been
expected from one days delibera-
lions. The chief result was some
thing more nearly approaching ain
understanding in the positions of the
two principal nations, Great Britain
and France, than had existed any
tine during the past few weeks.
M. Poincare offered in behalf of
France acceptance of two years
moratorium for Germany provided
satisfactory guarantee were forth
coming; these guarantees embraced
measures for economic control Of the
cupation of the Rukr district with a
division of soldiers to collect Gus.
toms on the COIL output. M. Point
care did not consider that this pro.
gram would be regarded as military
action against Germany.
Premier Ronar Laws reply, which
came in the afternoon after M. Poin.
cares exposition of Frances atti,
tude in the morning, surprised the
French because it indicated that
Great Britain might, under satisfac-
tory conditions abandon the attitude
laid down in the Balfour note and
cancel the French debt to England.
Mr.. Bomar Law also opposed mill
ta"y measures to compel Germany to
pay. The reduction of the German
indemnity to approximately 100000.
0OO gold marks, was discussed.
Debt to u. s. Discussed
Premiers Poincare and MusSolini
were the chief speakers at the mora
ing session. The Italian premier is
reported to have advanced some pro.
posals, the nature of which has not
yet been revealed.
Karl Bergman, German financial
expert, arrived today and presented
Chancellor Cuno's proposal to Pre-
mler Bonar Law. The plan is said to
embrace allied participation in Ger
man industries instead Of an external
loan.
America and the cancellation of
European debts to that country was
one of the topics touched upon in the
morning.
Premier Law caused sentatioM
When, in the course of his reply to
nj. Polncare's moratorium plan. he
gave clear indication that the Brit
ish government would be quite viii.
ing to reconsider the question of
cancellation of the French debt, pro.
Vided such step was made possible
by reparations settlement satisfac
tory to Great Britain.
Mr.. Bonar law had previously In
timated that Americas insistence on
the payment of the British debt had
made it very difficult for England
to discuss remission OF the French
war debt.
AiIC I1IIIlSD prime minister 8 Geo
1arations greatly encouraged Pre-.
mier POincare, who was extremely
pessimistic over the outcome of the
conversations
Premier Bonar Law began by say.
ing that the Balfour note no longer
existed 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, eff such cancellation
would insure a settlement satisfac-
tory to the British government"
POincare Pleased
M Poincare, although reserving
his formal reply to the new sugges
ton until later, expressed deep
pleasure at the British attitude.
The British prime minister briefly
outlined the kind of settlement he
desired-a moratorium sufficient for
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