New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-12
Britain Backs
Il. S. Rhine Bill:
Urges PAYMENT
Lord Curzon Sends Note of
Support to Hughes and
Asks Other Allies TO De-
wise Speedy Settlement
Action Ends Controversy
France and Belgium Have
Endorsed Claim, Which
Involves $24l, 900, 900

From The Tribuno's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE Brit
ish government in n note received to-
day by the State Department not only
supports the American claims for re-
endorsement for costs Of the United
States forces on the Rhine, but advises
that notes are being addressed to the
governments of France and Belgium
ain the hope that speedy agreement
may be reached az to the most convcn-
lent method" of making payment.
In making public the full text Of the
British reply, which was signed by
Lord Curzon, Minister OF Foreign At
fairs, Secretary OF State Hughes dis
closed that Acknowledgements have been
sent to France, Belgium and Great
Britain for their agreement to the
American position. While the identic
note from this government on army
costs was sent also to the governments
of Italy and Japan it was explained
that Great, Britain, France and Bel
GUM, with the United States, were the
powers chiefly affected by the method
of partitonine the payments from
Germany for the Allied army of oc-
cupation.
The receipt Of the British reply ends
the controversy between this govern
ment and the Allies over honoring the
American claim Of $24l 100000 for
costs of the American forces on the
Rhine up to May /, 1921. This govern
ment will now await the agreement
among Great Britain, France and Bel
GUM over the method in which the
obligation will be lioudated.
The British reply, which was COM
municated to the State Department
through Ambassador Harvey, follows:
II am anxious to lose no time in
claim put forward by the United States
government that these expenses should
be reimbursed to them is one whic
his maiesty's government would not in
any circumstances desire to question.
1t would be impossible to do so with
out an indifference to manifest con-
siderations of justice and without a
failure to recognize the part PLAYED by
the United States in the war and the
subsequent occupation, such as ! am
confident that your government would
net think of imputing to his maiesty's
government. 1t is the earnest desire
OF his msjcsty's government that
means should be found with as little
delay as possible to give practical ef-
feet to the desires of the United States
government as explained by your eX-
cellency. and am accordingly placing
myself in communication with the gov
crnments of France and Belgium in
the hope that a speedy agreement may
be reached as to the most convenient
method by which the Allied and Iasso-
ciated governments may concert to-
gether to secure tho desired end"
The Secretary Of State has instructed
Ambassador Harvey to make the follow
ing communication to Lord Curzon
II am directed BY my government to
express it's qualification at the tenor
of the response which your lordship
has made to my communication rela-
tive to the payment of the costs Of
the American Army of Occupation on
the Rhine
Permit me to join your lordship in
the hope that it may be possible to
reach a speedy and satisfactory con-
clusion of the NATTER
The Secretary Of State has directed
that similar replies be made to the
communications from the French and
Belgian governments. The French note
was made public on April l.