New-York tribune., 1922-03-23

COSTS J0NoaUs:
"The government Of the United
States has believed, and still believes,
that tho governments Of the Allied
powers have no disposition to question
the right OF the United States to be
paid, upon an equal footing with them,
the actual cost of its army of occupx-
ton which it has maintained in Ger
many since the joint armistice agree
ment of November IL, 1913. While The
attitude of the government of the
United States in expecting full pay
mcnt of these costs mas been repeated
ly set forth, it is deemed to be appro-
pirate, in view Of recent developments.
to make this statement Of it's position.
"The amount of the claim of the
United States for is army costs is
understood to be well known and to be
free from any substantial dispute.
According to the information and &C.
counts in the possession Of the Allied
governments, it appears that the total
cost Of all the armies of occupation
from November II, 1918, to May I,
1921, amounted to 3,S39 1882, 600 gold
marks; that the amounts due to Bel
GUM, France and Italy for their army
costs for that period have been paid IL
full (chiehy through deliveries of prop
erty), and that the unpaid balance Of
army costs due May !. 1921, amounted
to 1860, 900 gold marks due 20 the
United States ard the Br:tish Empire
as follows:
United statsu, ses,s74,ooo gold
marks.
"BritlsA Empire, 6e9,7lG,o0o gold
marks.
Cash Payments to Britain
at Is understood that between May
/, 1921, and December 81. 1921, the
yncnts, as against th;s balance, Of about
130, ,soG 900 gold marks. In view Of the
position taken by The government Of
The United States. this payment vas
expressly made and received subject 60
the rights Of the United States.
an November, 1921, The commission
appointed by tho Supreme Council SC
give Us opinion on che expenses OF the
armies Of occupation made its report,
dealing with tho army cost. since May
/, 1921. This included calculations
with respect to the American army, and
It's actual costa since that date we're
! included in the proposed provision 2or
payment part passu With the other
| powers
at had been supposed that this re-
|
referred 20 the conference Of Anbas-
sadors and would pave the way for
suitable action with respect to the
American army costs, both current and
accumulated. It was With eurprise that
The government OF the United States
recently learned that negotiations, in
connection with and following The
meeting at Cannes IN January last, ap~
parently contemplated the substitution
tor the recommendation Of the army
costs commission OF other arrange
ments, which would ignore American
army costs altogether, although esti-
mates both for army costs and repara-
lions we're being made on the basis OF
crnment to pay. When It come TO the
notice Of this government that it vas
proposed At the meeting Of the finance
ministers, to convene at Paris on March
6, definitely to assign the greater por.
tlon OF The amount heretofore paid il
cash by Germany, and not yet finally
allocated, to the payment OF army costs
without making any provision for those
Of tho American army, it was deemed
advisable again to direct attention tt
the position OF the United States. The
government Of the United States has
been advised that all the arrangements
oA lHS IN6Eco ministers nave DceI
made subject to the rights OF the
United States and that these ministers
have also suggested that the govern
meut Of the United States should take
up the question directly with the gov.
crnments concerned.
Meaning OF Agreement Plain
"rhe ar.nissice agreement concluded
between the Allied and associated gov
ernments and Germany on November
II. 1913, provided for military occupa
ton by the Allied and United States
forces jointly, and it was exprcssl!
provided that
"The upkeep OF the troops Of occu
patton in the Rhine districts (exclud
ing Alsace-Lorraine) shal be charged
to the German government.
at is not believed that the meaning
Of this agreement can be regarded a,
doubtful. 1t had not only its express!
provision but its necessary implca
tions. 1t is the view Of this govern
.nent, and it is confidently Believed
that it is the view Of all the govern
nonts concerned, that this agreemen
on the part of the Allied and assoc
ated governments with Germany, ant
with each other, had the clear impor
%hGt the movers ssSocieIcd in this ioir