The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-12-11
GREAT BRITAIN
WOULD CANCEL
IT'S FRENCH DEBT
There Is a Hint That Brit
ish Government Seeks to
Postpone Payment of Its
Obligation to- the United
States for Half a Centn-
ry at Least

London, Dec. IL (By the Associated
Press --Ad journmentsof the premiers'
conference tonight for eight days in
order to avert an open rupture be-
tween England and France over the
question of German reparations has
been virtually decided upon, i was
learned to-day.
The British cabinet, it was authori-
tatively stated, rejected the measures
of force for the sRuhr district upon
which Premier Poincare insisted.
\. Prime Minister Bonar Law informed
!. Premier Poincare that British opinion
was overwhelmingly opposed to any
military measures against Germany
II was stated in French circles that
the adjournment was merely ma
noeuvre to prevent and open break
among the allies, particularly between
France and England, that there was
little likelihood of finding common
basis Of agreement.
1t was further pointed out that in
spite of Premier Poincare's desire to
cooperate with the new British gov
ernment he has been forced largely
by the political situation at home to
demand the Ruhr as the price OF any
concession to Germany.
The meeting Of the premiers sched-
uled for this noon was postponed un
til i o'clock. 1t was expected that in
the meantime private interviews would
take place among the premiers in an
eleventh hour effort to save the con-
yersations from what seemed this
morning to be inevitable postpone
ment.
II was stated in an authoritative
American quarter that the chief hope
Of bringing the British and French
together, during the period of adjourn
ment to which the conference now
seems doomed. lies with the United
States. Ii was said by this author
itv that England will probably ask
the American government If it is will
ing TO cancel the French debt to Great
Britain and at the same time enters
a definite agreement with the Ameri-
can government to ultimately pay the
British debt to America.
This suggestion was made informal
lv that evening to certain important
American now in London and il viii
probably be presented directly to Mr..
Hughes. the American secretary of
state, in the course of the present
week
Great Britain Is said TO look favor
ably on the cancellation of the French
debt due her, provided the United
States cancels the French debt TO
America. 1t is the Belief OF British
officials that the United States would
he willing to at least attend confer
ence at which proposition could be
thoroughly discussed. IL was also
stated in American circles this morn
ing that the definite agreement to pay
the British debt to the United States
could or might become effective, TO
postpone for long period, say fifty
wears, in which only interest would be
paid. II was explained that this was
on the theory that the United States
was primarily interested in securing
the ultimate payment Of the British
debt. rather than an immediate settle
ment.
In conference quarters = was the
general view that France has indicated
Ter willingness to give up military
penalties in return for the canceila
tion of debts by the United States and
Great Bsitain and would be ready also
70 give a long moratorium TO Ger
mauy