The New York herald., 1922-08-13

LOpDffJNtt I5-s, W tE NEW iOhh iaEkALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin. Aug. 12.
The interest of German business
men to-day centered upon American
politics. The treaty signed by Ambas-
sador Olanson B. Houghton and Chan
cellor Joseph Wirth, creating COM
mission composed Of one member from
each country and an umpire to de-
termine American claims against Ger
many, forms the basis for the foreign
interest in the November elections in
the United States.
While the Berlin press Is unanimous
in praising the fairness Of the Ameri-
can proposal for determining the
claims, business men feel that final
settlement is dependent upon the atti-
tude of Congress as typif1ed in the
Underwood -Winslow bill proposing an
American commission to pass on the
claims. For that reason, they say, a
clear view of the final settlement can
come only after the results of the elec-
tions in America are known.
Business men here see a wide differ
cnce between the Republican and Demo-
cratic plans for cleaning up all claims
fo- sequestrated property and look for
II to be big campaign issue. They are
also slightly skeptical as to the Drovi-
sion for mixed commission. which
states that it's decision as to the
amounts of damage Is finally binding on
both nations. They believe they are en-
titled to a provision for an appeal, and
in this connection are outspoken in their
preference for leaving the claims finally
to the courts of either nation rather
than to governmental commissions
Impressed with Fairness.
Meanwhile the press is laying stress
on the fairness of American dealing, es-
peciaily since it gives no opportunity to
appeal from the provisions of the Ver-
sailles Treaty. 1T Is a plain demon
stration Of the difference between Amer
lean methods of negotiating ana those
applied by the Entente" says the
Deutsche Td0eszctting.
Whichever way the London conference
turns out the Germans will lose Is the
opinion of official circles here, which IS
reflected in the depreciation OF the
mark short moratorium may delay
but will not avert the final reckoning,
which will result in debased currency
and overwhelming obligations.
THE NEW YORK HERALD correspond
ent questioned men high In business and
official circles as TO their opinion con-
cerning the consequences OF the appli-
cation Of the reparations program being
discussed in London.
DIR. Karl Helfferch, former Finance
Minister representing the Nationalists.
as usual deplored "Germanys debase-
ment to mere object of world barter.
Why did not the German Government
protest in London against the viola
tions of German sovereignty, German
private property rights and freedom to
work." he asked.
Politics, Not Economics.
The democratic Vossiche ZeitunC
said: @If the allied statesmen follow
their present course 1t would seem that
they are moving TO meet political con-
alterations instead of economic ones.
There is danger of the French national
lists and extremists getting the upper
hand
The methods of collecting the repara-
tions fall into two categories one OF
which the Germans regard as primarily
political and the other essentially eco-
nomic The Germans view tho pro-
posed customs barrier between the
Rhfneland and northern Germany as a
political measure. They object on the
grounds that the experience las. year
shows that only small amount oi
paper marks can be raised by customs
leyies while the control hinders normal
commercial relations. Raising 'front.'
Ter between Germany's raw materials
and the Ruhr and the reserve of the
factories and consumers would cripple
production, they say. The customs
r1arftrffiartv Wnrrted Official
circles. which believe that II means only
another year of preparing for ultimate
detachment.
Among the economic measures which
preoccupy the Germans is the proposed
participation by the Allies in German
Industry. After the armistice many
German manufacturers favored giving
French and British firms a share OF
German enterprise as the surest and
cheapest way to interest the outside
world and restore Germany's prosperity.
German industry wanted aid because 1t
felt helpless before it's own workers, who
were only partly oganized, to compete
IN the world markets, but the idea was
dropped because the Allies then hoped
to get gold payments from Germany.
solid Industrial Front.
But to-day participation by the Allies
I'm German industry Is opposed by both
the Government and manufacturers. The
Government objects primarily because
s.ss enormous burden OF organizing for
the participation would fall upon its
own shoulders. The Government must
necessarily initiate its currency further
10 indemnify it's manufacturers, The
Government prepared similar scheme
when the Socialists demanded the ma
tonaIizstion OF industry last year but
81 was dropped because OF the technical
difficulties and the opposition OF the
manufacturers.
To-day the manufacturers have
formed n solid front and intend to with
stand thH pressure Of the Allies and, IL
possible, weather the bankruptcy Of their
own Government. Also German firms do
not feel the need OF outside help to trans.
act business In the world market, as
various groups. notably the coal, dye and
potash interests. holG their own Euro
pcan market and are even crowding
out the French. Looking ahead. the Ger
mans hope 70 raise an outside loan them.
selvcs. and consequently want to keep
fhelf assets as free as possible for even