Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-03-23
HUGHES INSISTS
ON PAYMENT FOR
ARNY'S COST IN
RHINE DISTRICT
Allies Planned to Ignore
American Claims, Ac-
cording to Word Received
From Observers Abroad.
SECRETARY CITES
VERSAILLES PACT
Basis For Stand Of the Uni
ted States i Hund in
the ArniStic ~ sleementl
Powers A, ,$s>,Id,

Washingt : farch 22.-The
American of occupation was
sent inv Q : many and was con-
tiuued on the basis of the
right United States to be
'pai actual cost upon an
equa. ting with our allies and
this go> ernment sis unable to con-
clude that the justice Of its claim
is not fully recognized, according
to identical communications deliv-
cred by American diplomatic rep
resentatives to the governments of
Belgium, Great Britain, France,
Italy and Japan.
The notes were delivered under
instructions from Secretary Hughes
Of the department of state and
were occasioned by recent infor-
nation from American observers
in Europe that the allied govern
ments apparently contemplated ar
rangements which would ignore
American army costs altogether,
although estimates both for army
costs and reparations were being
made on the basis Of the entire ca
pacity of the German government
to pay.
Wants Fun Payment.
The amount Of the claims of the
United States for its army costs,
the notes declared, was understood
to be free from any substantial
dispute, but it was deemed to be
appropriate, 'in view of recent
developments" to aequaint the al
lied governments with the repeat
edly reiterated statement that the
government of the United States
was asking for full payments Of
costs of its army in the Rhineland.
Basis for the American claim,
the notes pointed out, was found
in the armistice agreement, to
which the United States was rig
natory, and which provided for
military occupation of Germany
by the allied and American forces
jointly That agreement, the notes
recited. provided expressly that the
upkeep Of the troops of occupation
in the Rhine districts should be
charged to the German govern
ment and it was expressed as the
view of the American government
that the armistice agreement chad
the clear import" that the powers
associated in that joint enterprise
should stand upon an equal foot
ing as to the payment of all actual
costs OF their armies of occupa-
ton"
Priority of Payment.
Priority of payment for the total
cost OF all armies of occupation was
imposed by the treaty of Versailles
the notes set forth. and since the
right of the United States to share
in that priority was mot expressly
conditioned" upon ratification of
the treaty by the u ted States,
failure to ratify should not be con-
strued as affecting in any way
American rights. In that connec-
ton the notes pointed out that
Germany has explicitly consented
to the priority of payment of cost
of the American army of occupa-
tion, Notwithstanding the fact that
the treaty OF Versailles has not
been ratified by the United States"
and that hence "any technical OBJ
lection" to the discharge of the
Just claim of the United States
would necessarily rest solely upon
the refusal of the allied powers
themselves to permit the discharge
of an admittedly equitable claim"
and it was insisted that the rights
of America were free from any
technical objection.
Total Cost of Armies.
The notes set forth that the total
cost of all armies of occupation
from November II, 1918. to May 1,
1921, amounted to 3,639,282, 900
gold marks; that the amounts due
to Belgium, France and Italy for
their army costs for that period
had been paid in full, and that the
unpaid balance due Nay 1, 1921 ,
to 1860, 100000 gold
marks, of which 966,374,000 gold
marks were due to the United
States and the remainder due the |
British empire. It was pointed out, |
also, that the British government |
had received 130.696,0O0 gold |
marks between May and December |
81, 1921. and that the payment |
was expressly made and received |
subject to the rights of the United |
States"
Suggestions Welcomed.
In conclusion the notes stated |
that the American government |
would welcome any suggestions
from the allied governments "for
he reasonable adjustment of this
and the powers were in
formed that "upon receiving as
;urances OF payment" this govern
nent would be ''only too happy to
orpceed IN tha coneidnrntiou of /