The New York herald., 1922-03-14
RHINE CLAIMS OF us.
CAUSE ALLIES TO ASK
FOR DEFINITE TERMS
Say Washington's Demand
for Pay Without Legal
Argument.
SCHEME TO COLLECT
Assert America Can Best
Get Money From Funds
Sequestered Here.
BERLIN CAN'T PAY DIRECT
Should Germany Make At
tempt to Comply the Al
lies Would Protest.

Special Cable to TIE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1922, BY TIE NEw York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. March Is.
1t is becoming more and more ap-
parent that the allied governments
have been thrown into considerable
confusion by the exact form OF the
memorandum presented by Roland
w. Boyden, American observer, in the
meeting Of the allied Finance Minis
ters, asserting the claim of the United
States for the cost of the American
army's occupation on the Rhine. tiled
against the account of German repa-
rations. The Finance Ministers are
hoping to get from the American De-
partment Of State a much more def
rite and explanatory presentation of
fits position, tho absence whereof they
are at a loss to understand. This ex-
plains why the French Government
yesterday not only cabled Ambassador
Jusserand in Washington, but asked
Mr.. Herrick. the American Ambassa-
dor here. for further information from
tne state department.
AS the matter now stands the For
eign Minister'S can upset the distribu-
ton made to Great Britain, France
and Belgium by the Finance Ministers,
who ignored the American claim.
which would have absorbed, had it
been paid. virtually all the money
Gone billion marks gold) thus far
turned over by Germany. The United
States presented bill for $241.-
100000.
Rad Feeling Created.
While an unfortunate feeling undoubt-
edly has been created on both sides by
this incident. coming on top OF the Wash
ington note declining the invitation OF
Italy to attend the Genoa conference. the
Allies. though not disposed to recognize
the legality of the American position,
are ready to give satisfactory reply to
America. upon receipt of formal note
from the State Department
The points made here are: First, the
matter was presented irregularly, as Mr.
Boydcn is an unofficial observer only,
whereas 1t should have been presented
in an American note to the allied Gov
einments. Second, that the Boyden de-
mand was backed up by no legal argu-
nent TO controvert the allied view that
legally the United States could not lay
claim to money paid to the Preparations
Commission, part of which they are dis
tributing. as the United States had not
ratified the treaty of Versailles but had
made its own peace treaty with Ger
many.
\ possible solution now advanced
would require that the United States
consent to stand on its own treaty alone,
and collect the money due her from
seqcestered German funds In the United
states One of the highest diplomatic
and legal authorities In the French Gov
crnment said to-day that under the Ver-
saillcs treaty Germany cannot pay out
single mark without the consent OF the
Reparations Commission and that
should the United States now make such
direct demand upon Germany, and
should Germany seek to comply with
that demand. the Allies would protest,
invoking their treaty. At the same time,
he made clear Americas moral claim for
reimbursement was not to be questioned
and some way should be found to satisfy
it,