The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-12-23
Ask j. s.
Aid In The
Big Tangle
ny oAvu' LAw1ENcD
tCopyright 1y The lntsllIgencer)

Washington. Dec :c.-When the al
led Premiers meet in Paris on January
second. they will IN all probability In
N!ts the United States government TO
help solve the economic situation Of
Europe, Possibly an American Giplo-
matte representative may be summoned
10 attend the meeting.
But II is becoming more nd more ap-
parent that the initiative must come
from European governments as the
United States doesn't want To be placed
IN the position ~ assuming resrorS,nIl-
Ily for the execution OF its suggestions
nor does II want to b. forced .nto the
position Q. having tried to dictate 70
Europe.
This explains 70 some extent the vehe-
;nence OF Secretary Hughes In denying
the story that q commission Of Amert-
can business men were 10 act with the
unofficial sanction - the American gov
crrment IL trying TO dN the amount ~
German indemnity. Mr.. hughes vas
perturbed today because some ot tbs
press reports took his statement AS the
uSua, "diplom;ic denial" The plan {"
have commission ot American buSi
ness mon cooperate in fX!nE the sum
that Germany can pay has many spon-
SorS here and business men ot pvomin-
enc" are trying {" get this government
and European governments to assent to
il hut he department OF safe IS not con-
ncctcd with the proposal either official
"r unntrrially anymore than Il was
with J. r. Morgan's visit 70 Paris iasr
June and the meetings OF the in;erna-
t;unal bankers committee. II :s an In
trreSced onlpoEer but not a promoter Of
these plans.
Feeling Its way.
The truth iS the United States gov
crrmeut Is feeling It's way. Thus tar
Il has not done any more than make
plain informally 10 the European gov
ernmen.s that il, stands ready 10 help
them with its Influence and advice
whenever u shall he sought. This In
Itself IS a step forward because Europe
has been clamorlnS for three years for
American help and has pointed TO the
number OF Invitations which have gone
uraccepted.
Wha< America wants Europe 20 un-
derstand uCw ~ that the United States
government, will sit IN the council OF
Europe and discuss these matters. The
thought Of an international economic
conference s,!l IS IL the minds or many
governments but Il MAJ be said at this
stage ut The proceedings that the tn!ted
States Will not call X. There are GER
tain obligations imposed on the host 10
lay down a program and TO set forth
what can be done by the nation calling
the conference. An illustration OF this
WAS the naval armament conference a
year ago when America felt compelled
TO announce It's own sacrifice al inc
very heg:rring Europe would expect
the United States - announce how
much % tbs allied war debt would be
'cI h1, ier 8
b. forgiven or some such concrete suS-
ges,ion for solution Vt the whole
problem.
American Advice.
What the Ca;,ed States governmen.
would like TO see IS Il conference either
Of premicvs or am mba SSadors whiVh would
hr!ug to tue from al the phases OF the
E,urOpsan economic situation ana
America would be ready 10 give its ad-
vice aloEg with the other governments.
1, Will o. recalled that when the pre-
miers met in London recently they
reached a deadlock and decided 10 post
pune their meeting until January with
the understanding ,ha; in the Interval
informal approaches would be made 10
N,nOa ssadoT Harvey 10 see what the
American government would suggest.
1, already has been tod rom London
he eyed America was opposed 70 the
invasion o; the Ruhr. This TOO has been
confirmed by dispatches from this side
OF the Atlantic. Whatever ;hc allies
said 70 Mir. Harvey was deemed To be OF
such Importance that President Hard
Ing and Secretary Hughes decided TO
call him to Washington for Il persona.
conference. The hope is tha; the >'tua-
ton Will be mancuNcred :" that 4 an
economic conference Is called Il Viii he
a. the Initiative % some European CO.
ernncnt and that IL America, Is asked
her advice It VII! &c as giving advice
and not as a proposal that this country
undertake the eNetut!nH of guarantees
or some other political Cn.auSlemcut
which might &e contrary 20 American
public opinion. The Harding aLm:n,s-
ton believes Il can render advice with
out ertangEuS Itself IN any "hliga-
zion "a guarantee the security "f France
or Germany or an? other power.
Won't DO It All.
But until Europe asks for American
advice formally. AL talk OK an American
plan 10 solve tur"?cS Ills !LuSt ha c"n-
s.dered as premature. Secretary hughes
i afraid that the IrcSS reports VIII
give the impression abroad that the
United States stands rcady !" DO n
urea; many things which American Opin-
Jon a. well as sound business Judgment.
might not approve.
H.. doesn't want Europe 20 feel that
America Will 10 It all ar that :; is try
Ing 10 fo.S: a program un Europe. Al
ready 'herr has been a somewhat IN
favorable reaction fr"m France (" the
earlier press reports from America
which were prcdiCa;ci on unwarran;cd
for diplomacy sake and S"- ultimate
success IN thr negotiations icSrlE. the
American government w"U,d like 70
have European governments ask the
United States :"r advice and SuGgeS-
.lnnS. The tinted States government
has made Hiowu itS readiness u re
ce!,c them and /" help In whatever way
!, can Tn" ru"N" ~ INST cruc from
Europe III rhc uexs few days