The New York herald., 1922-12-31
HUGHES TALK FAILS
TO SWERYE FRENCH
Continued from First Page.

ciai circles interpret Mr.. Hughes's re-
marks, tho American Secretary of State
is not in favor Of the English view,
which so far as Germany Is concerned,
varies widely from that of the French.
Not only French officials. but the
nounce absurd Mr.. Hughes's idea that
the total German debt bears no relation
to the interailied debt. advancing the cid
argument that France and other ravaged
countries cannot pay the United States
Unless Germany pays them.
Likewise. Mr.. Hughess proposal OF
an international committee of experts to
investigate Germany's capacity TO pay.
and to remove the question from the
political domain. they say, must be
Judged as absolutely unfeasible. mas
much as the international treaties un-
der which the debts were incurred are
essentially political, and no European
nation would consent to submit them to
arbitration by private interests.
The unfavorable reaction to Mr..
fIughes's remarks Is in contrast to the
approval given President Harding's let
ter TO Senator Lodge, which has domi-
days and which has been hailed as an
indication that Washington is coming
I to the help of Europe.
! PARIS. Dec. so (Associated Press) -
! "The United States would never consent
TO abdieate the rights It holds under the
treaties If 1t were called upon to defend
4 its own interests" says the Temps IL
discussing Secretary Hughes's New
I Haven speech. Yet. it adds. ''the rea-
soning of Mr.. Hughes amounts to this"
France and her allies. the newspaper
continues, must reduce their claim on
Germany to an extent to be fixed by
an international committee OF bankers
while the United States Is unwilling to
reduce its claim on the Allies Declar-
\ ing this $50 linequitable that Mr..
| Hughes in his conscience as a jurist Ia
not disposed to consider II final" the
Temps asks: why. then. does he seem
to accept IT
The Journal Dcs DebGts thinks the
| American Secretary of State errs IN
looking at the reparations problem as q
purely economic question.
'It is first of all q political question:
says the newspaper. 'and It is imposs-
BILE 70 confide to committee of bankers
the task of formulating a plan inde-
pendently of the governments"
France has made an intensive study
Of the reparations question for the last
four years and Is convinced that Ger
many does not want TO restore her H.
nancial stability IL such a step means
payment in full of a reasonable war in
demnity Such is the authoritative.
though unofficial. comment on the
speech of the American Secretary Q:
State at New Haven last night.
Secretary Hughes's assertions In re-
gard to the failure of the European
statesmen thus far to agree on repara-
tions provoked great interest in official
quarters. and, although the speech was
not conveyed to the French Government
In an official way, the suggestions IL con-
tanned were taken TO be directed al
France.
The French hold it is not the failure
of the Allies to reach an accord that is
causing the present difficulties but Ger
manys policy of evasion and opposition
to all the allied demands.
With reference to yesterdays debate
in the United States Senate.'in in which the
intimation was made of indirect con-
versations or feelers between Paris and
I Washington over reparations. officials
fpointed out that the exchanges had not
reached the stage In which they could
properly be termed negotiations. 1t was
true. they admitted. that certain views
of President Harding and Secretary
Hughes had been received. France. they
added, was always eager TO hear the
American ideas and to give them fullest
consideration.
IT was confirmed that the French Of
lcials have been made aware of the
apparent intention OF Chancellor Cuno
OF Germany 10 propose a four-Power
pact - be signed by Great Britain.
italy. France and Germany TO .g,iaran-
tee the security Of France and the pres
ent Franco German frontiers.