New-York tribune., 1922-03-29
Chancellor Asserts Ger.
many Must Have Com
plete Moratorium for
1922 and Foreign Loan
Nothing less Can
Avert Catastrophe
Reichstag Cheers Asscr-
ton No Berlin Gov.
ernment Would Under
lake to Meet Demands
BY Joseph Shaplen
81 wireless 20 The Trfbtre

ny JoSCPll Olio piCii
81 wireless 20 The T,4bure
Copyright. 1922. New York Tribune IncN
BERLIN, March % - Germany
must ask the Allies to suspend all
cash payments on the war bill this
year, Chancellor Wirth told the
Reichstag to-day in explaining why
it was impossible for Germany to
grant the Entente demands set forth
in the Reparation Commissions note.
"That is the minimum Germany
must have in the way of relief II
an economic catastrophe is to be
averted," he said. The Allied de-
mands from a parliamentary, politi-
cal and technical point of view are
nonsense and an utter impossibility
Besides complete moratorium on
cash payments this year Germany
must have a foreign loan in order
to meet the cost Of damage suits
brought by Allied citizens against
Germany. It is absolutely incon-
ccivable that we can meet our obi
cations. in 1929 without foreign
credits
Shouts of approval from all sides Of
the Reichstag greeted Wirths asser-
tion that no German government could
be formed that would undertake to
carry out the Allied demands
The Chancellor was particularly BIT
ter in assailing the Allied stipulation
that $4,000, 100000 marks in additional
! taxes be levied and that the control OF
German finances be vested in the Al
| bed Committee on GUARANTEES. He re
terated that these demands encroached
on German sovereignty and that the
| Berlin government never would submit
! to them.
Genoa Held Only Hope
THE contrast presented by the de-
mands Of the Reparation Commission
and the program that is necessary to
the upbulding of Europe is so glaring
as to provoke the most extreme
pessmism," the Chancellor continued
"The world must choose now between
two principles: the spirit Of Genoa and ,
that embodied in the Reparation Com
missions note. Either the Genoa eco
nomic conference is already dooms to
failure or the Allies must recognize tn.
necessity of bringing their reparations
policy into line with the Genoa idea
Either Genoa Will bring the world new
light or place before it a mirage that
will lead the world to destruction"
1t was up to the Allies to choose
which it should be, the Chancellor CON
cluded.
Wirth expressed the view that the
| oh
demanding the maintenance of new
control commission in Germany and,
simultaneously. higher taxation, mas
much as the cost of keeping one Allied
general in Germany already was
greater than the combined salaries OF
all the members of the German Cabi-
net.
The Chancellor argued that it was
ridiculous to force new heavy taxes on
! Germany which would lead only to an
increased devaluation of the mark and
aggravation of the already serious
financial situation.
Breathing Space Demanded
Germany must have real breathing
space which will enable her TO stabilize
the mark and balance her receipts and
expenditures he said. "Then the
country once more would reach a posi-
tion in which it could again deal with
real Va1ueS.
The Chancellor said he recognized
that the reduction of the cash payment
for 1922 was a tangible relief, but it
was not enough. He added that he
would seek to enter into negotiations
with the Reparation Commission for
a modification or removal of the condi-
tions in the Allied note that are re-
garded as inimical to German sover-
eighty.
BERLIN, March % (By The Asso-
ciated Press The Genoa conference
will either be shining star or a will
o the wisp, Chancellor Wirth told the
Reichstag to-day at the conclusion of
an hours discussion of the decisions of
the Reparations Commission.
"If the Genoa conference proves
will O the wisp instead of shining
star that will brighten the path to
problem of rehabilitating Europe in
general and Germany in particular will
continue to be treated in a spirit of ar
bitrary dictation."
Throughout his speech the ChanceI-
lor was unusually frank in his criti-
cism of the Allies treatment of the
reparations problem, charging that the
commi ission either was unamensble to
everyday logic or persistently had ne
elected TO acquaint itself with the
actual status of Germany's economic
situation. The reparations decision, &C
companied by letter. which, the
Chancellor said was couched in a need
lessly severe tone, not only had aroused
, national indignation, but incidentally
had added $4,000 10000 marks to the
German budget in consequence of the
J unprecedented slump of the mark.
which set in automatically with the
notes arrival
Applause greeted the declaration that
the German government politely must
decline the suggestion of financial and
I economic guardianship.
r This" declared the Chancellor, "is
$ incompatible with the dignity OF the
5 nation and is opposed to the spirit cf
= democracy which we founded at tk1
. Ententc's behest. Sach ~ invasion Of
4 sovereign state is also in violation, of
= the principle ef self dotcyn,iuss.on.
2 We slrcaas Eave Fad oui III cf un-