The New York herald., 1922-09-04
JUSTIFIES U. S. CLAIMS
Will Not Contest Any Item
of Washington's Bill
for War Dues.
GOES AS FAR AS BRITAIN
Proposes to Abandon Gold
Mark for Every One Eng
land Valves.

Special Gable to THE NEW York HEaALr
Copyright, 1899, by THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Burean.
Paris. Sept. 3. 4.
France already is negotiating unoffi-
cially for some sort of American par
ticipation at the forthcoming confer
ence on inter-allied debts and repara-
tions. According to well informed
circles to-day the advice of Col. James
A. Logan. Jr., American observer with
the Reparations Commission, to the
French to accept the Belgian compro-
mise, as it would signify Frances con-
ciliatcry spirit. has decided Premier
Poincare to set in motion his general
plan for reparations conference
which the Balfour note undermined,
for the purpose of considering a reduc-
ton in the total reparations Germany
must pay. This step OF course will
come up with the question Of an
Allied debt settlement
Conversations were Immediately
opened both in Paris and London as
to the possibility of America sending
an advisory observer should the Allies
get together and it is hoped that the
pourparlers will advance sufficiently
during the next few days to enable the
French to send note to Washington
expressing clearly Poincare's desire to
have the European problem settled
once and for alt and then. II the
United States considers 1t opportune,
10 call another conference. preferably
just after the American elections, at
which Allied unity will be coasecrated
and the way opened for the settlement
of both French and English trans
Atlantic debts on a basis which
will further strengthen international
finances.
Seeking British Views.
The French still are reticent regard
Ing Poincare's reply to the Balfour note.
prefering to await the reaction in Lon
don before arguing the details.
1t was his ardent desire for America
TO be represented at future council tables
that inspired Poincare openly to justify
in totality the American claims while
pleading for a reduction of the British
claims on the grounds that the war was
fought to preserve the integrity OF the
British Empire as much as Frances ter
ritory.
THE New YORK HERALD correspondent
has been informed that NJ. Parmentier
frequently stressed during his recent
visit to the United States that France
does not desire to contest any portion of
Americas bill and moreover that he re-
ceived numerous assurances from Ameri-
can financiers that even they did not
consider Frances debt to Great Britain
entirely equitable.
AS a result Parmentier reported that
II was useless to proceed further with
direct negotiations with the United
States until n new basis for European
arrangements IS found and this Will
take at least the next two months.
Not only is Poincare willing TO aban-
don gold mark OF Frances claim on
Germany for every gold mark remitted
by Great Britain. but he will also waive
similar sum due from her smaller
allies as proof of Frances desire for
European stability. IL the entire British
claim on Germany and France Is not to
be waived. the French suggest IL would
be possible to arrange for a reduction
Of the total of Germany's debt and then
divide any payments exacted from Ger
many between France and Great Britain,
the latter to use her share for paying
her debt TO the United States. while
France will thus be enabled to carry on
the reconstruction of her devastated
regions.
AS TO the American claim on France
the feeling here Is that Parmentier's
visit has paved the way for long
term agreement at low interest and that
once European agreement is reached
France, with her factories and agri-
cultural prosperity restored. would
gradually pay Off what is owing the
United States. In any event It Is con-
sidercd virtually certain that the mora
torium issue may be set aside until
after poincare's scheme for conferences
with the United States is fully evolved.
Expect Disarmament Demand.
French official circles now expect a
new demand by Great Britain for con-
tinental disarmament to provide the
first step in any financial settlement.
but will oppose this both before the
League OF Nations and any international
conference as being impracticable until
Frances security, economic and other
wise Is fully assured.
The hborfe last night predicted such
n move by Premier Lloyd George in
order to regain American favor, but
considers that II would throw the whole
machinery of economic rehabilitation
into confusion. II is evident that even
the press closest to Poincare is sur
prsed at the defniteness with which
he declared that others could not expect
pay unless Frances ruins are repaired
Fearing that this refusal may be
tnken In some American circles as an
effort on the part of France TO avoid
her obligations, IL Is understood that
Poincares next note will go into detail
as 70 the use France has made OF the
funds she received and viii outline his
Idea OF an equitable settlement. His
original plans have been changed
slightly.
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