The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-19
j. S.TO CALL
CONFERENCE
ON FINANCES
To Send Out FeeIers
to Europe
BY A. |. BRADFORD

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The Unit
ed States, as the outstanding move in
its plan to avert a collapse in the old
world, is about to invite the European
powers to make final attempt TO set
tie the German reparations problem.
it was learned from the most authori-
tative sources here today.
The "plan" of the United States for
Intervention in the European situation
which has filled two continents with
excitement and anticipation, partly be
cause of the deep mystery surrounding
it, can now be revealed by the United
Press. 1t follows:
1. Believing that reparations is the
key to the present European crisis the
United States will participate in a
commission or some other form OF
official inquiry to establish an exac.
figure for Germany to pay. 1t would
be figure that would constitute just
reparations for the war, an amount
that would be up to Germany's capa-
city to pay, but not beyond.
Would Adanve Loan.
2. If a settlement of the reparations
problem can be effected by an agree
ment among the European powers on
such a figure, the United States can
give assurances that American bank
ers stand ready to advance loan with
the proper security, sufficient to put
Germany on her feet and start her to-
wards amortization of the indemnity
8. Finally the United States govern
ment is willing to adopt a more leni-
ent policy on the question of collec-
ltion of the allied war debt to this
country; tTat it is ready to consider
the obligations of each of the debtor
countries on their own merits, grant
ing more leniency in the terms of col
lection to those countries less able to
pay.
Should this far reaching program be
worked out the United States may lat
er suggest other important internation-
al moves such as pact to preserve
peace and to limit land armament.
Delicate Negotiations
The reason for the mysterious
silence that has been maintained by of
| ficial Washington since it first be-
came evident that the United States
intended to intervene in the European
situation is because of the delicate
stage of the negotiations incident to
putting the plan into effect. This gov
ernment, by informal inquiries, has
/ been sounding the European countries
! concerned to ascertain whether they
would welcome such an offer of coop
Grafton from America before extending
a formal invitation.
In conversations and exchanges pass
4 ing back and forth almost hourly be-
tween the United States and the gov
ernments of Europe and President
/ 10,
met, developments may come at any
time that will put the American plans
into motion or perhaps cause them to
be dropped in failure.
Uncertain About France
4 1t is admitted here that one of the
greatest questions in success of the
plans is the reception that will be
given the suggestion by France. Ii
is hoped France will cooperate, for
i it is believed that this will be the
only attempt by this country to aid
in settlement of the European prob
lem and the French will be SO in
formed.
Also there may be developments to
change the plan somewhat from the
outline given in this dispatch. 1t was
said in one authoritative quarter to-
day that some word had been received
from Germany that might tend to
broaden the American plan
Just what form the American inyi-
tation viii take if the informal feel
ers" assure a favorable reception
abroad, has not yet been revealed. It
is probable, however, that joint note
: may be dispatched to Great Britain,
France, Italy, Germany, Belgium and
! perhaps, as matter of form, to
Japan, setting forth the American
offer.
) U. S. Would Protest.
The United Press, is informed en-
; phaticaliy by a high authority of the
T government that should France occU-
py the Ruhr or take some other such
: drastic step the United States would
protest most vigorously.
However, there is a feeling here
that France does not really intend to
: occupy the Ruhr and that Premier
!, Poincare also has given up any hope
of collecting $900,000,000 from Ger
many as contemplated by the present
Preparations total OF more than $50.
: 100000 600. figure regarded here as
entirely too high.
II was noted that American pro
gram dovetails in with the announce
ment of ]. p Morgan and Co, thai
no loans can be made by private bank
ers to Germany until the reparations
question is settled 1t is also be
= lieved that if such a loar finally
comes, it will not be as large as ST.