The New York herald., 1922-12-22
AMERICA CONFIDENT
EUROPE WILL ACCEPT
INDEMNITY ARBITERS
Negotiations Reach the
Point Where Definite
Program Is Expected.
NO OFFICIAL ACT YET
Hughes Denies Govern
ment Has Suggested US.
Experts for Reparations.
BORAH ASKS CONFERENCE
Requests Economic Discussion
French View Turning to
Final Solution.
BORAH ASKS CONFERENCE
ec.al Dispatch to Tun NV Yonx HnsAr..

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. C., Dec. FL.
The plans Of the Administration for
aid to Europe in settling the repara-
tons problem are taking concrete
form. The indirect negotiations be-
tween Washington and London, Ber-
lin and Paris have reached the point
where the announcement of pro-
gram may be expected.
In spite of denials and partial de-
malls by officials Of reports from Lon
don that the United States has sug-
gested the feasibility OF a commission
Of American business men to assist in
finding a new basis for reparations
agreement after a study Of the sltua-
ton in Germany, 1t was learned that
such a proposal has received and Is
receiving consideration abroad.
u. 8. Not Yet Made Proposal.
A statement covering this point was
issued by Secretary of State Hughes
tonight. He said:
The Department OF State cannot
discuss tentative proposals which are
made 10 it with respect to the Euro
pean situation. The report that this
Government had presented to other
Governments n proposal for an Ameri-
can commission is unfounded. OF
course. It follows that no assent Of any
other Government to such proposal
has been received
Out Of the crop OF reports and de-
malls Of them. ono tact stood out.
namely, that this Government -
strongly wedded 70 the belief that the
most promising avenue to a solution
OF the reparaticns problem IS for all
the Governments concerned TO accept
the decision OF business experts who
would disassociate the problem from
politics.
Senator Borah to-day offered as an
amendment 10 the naval appropria-
ton bill a proposal for an interna-
tional conference to consider economic,
financial and business problems. in
cluding German reparations. as well
as reduction Of land. sea and aerial
armaments.
Chambers Recon- ndation.
Notwithstanding the secrecy with
which officials cover what Is being done
it was indicated that the Chamber OF
Commerce OF the United states had sub
nItted To the state Department a pro-
posal that a commission OF American
business men should 20 to Berlin 70
study economic conditions and make rec.
concentrations 90 to what tire paying
capacity OF Germany is. this recommen-
dalton 70 be made the basis OF new
adjustment.
Whether or not IL was contemplated
that Secretary Hoover should head the
commission IS not clear. Mr.. Hoover
said to-day that he had not heard OF
such q proposal, and II Il had taken
definite form he probably would have
heard OF g. This statement, however.
did not initiate against the belief that
the commission idea IS under eonsidera-
tion
There was nothing to gainsay this IN
statement to-day from Julius II.
Barnes president Of the Chamber %
Commerce OF the United states. Mr.
Barness denial was confined TO the re-
port that the proposal for an American
commission was Inspired BY Chancellor
Cuno.
Mr.. Barnes and Elliott Goodwin, sec
retary-gencral Of the chamber. con-
suited Secretary Hughes prior 20 the
visit OF j. I. Morgan 90 the state De-
partment. and the optimistic statement
from the white House on which the
49,
based, followed these visits.
Officials Of the State Department
confined themselves to-day 70 tho
statement that many recommendations
for a reparations solution had haen re-
ceived but that thcy had not submitted
n PROPOSAL for an American commission
on the request of Chancellor Cuno and
that Great britain therefore. could not
have accepted g. Beyond this and tNe
statement that the Government is still;
exploring avenues they would not 80.
Government ravors Ides.
Tho dcniaik were explained on tho
hypothesis that che discussions under
way have been indirect and have not
reached the stage where they could bo
referred 60 as proposals or "negotia-
tlons" 70 ls clear however, that tho
commission idea ss n means Of divorc-
ing reparations from politics Is TO the
fore. that the United States looks on
Il with approval a. the means OF media
tion and that the powers are informed
OF this country's attitude.
u was denied officially that this
Government has asked Ambassad dol
Jusserand OF France TO suggest TO hir
Government that the committee of
bankers. whlcn failed 90 secure an ad-
,ustment last June. should be recon
vened This. however, is one OF the
avenues being explored Whether the
proposcd commission Of American buri
ness men Is intended 20 act by iteeli
and mediate ne reparations Is not clear
There ls III other alternative OF ~uch
q commssnn acting IN harmony with
expert commissions ot The otheA Powert