The New York herald., 1922-12-25
Believes Washington Will
Issue Statement on the
European Situation.
PREDICTS WAR DEBT PLAN
Peincare and Advisers Confer
and Say German Fertili-
zer' Was Discussed.

SOeoial caNe to TuH NEW YosK lIreALp.
Copyright, 1899. by TIE NEW YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. Dec. "a.
The French do not expect the
American Government to name an OBJ
server, official or unofficial. for the
conference of allied Premiers here
January 2, but are awaiting some Off
cial exposition of the American point
opens. to afford hint as to how far
Europe can go in her efforts to coll
lect reparations payments from Ger
many.
Such was the declaration to-day Of
one of the highest French economic
authorities, close to ~the Government,
who also seemed to believe there
would be some sort of compromise
regarding interalied debts in which
Great Britain would agree to forego
her claims on France, conditional upon
the United States granting conces-
sions 10 Englnad when Stanley Bald
win, Chancellor of the Exchequer, dis
cusses the British debt in Washington
next month.
Italy and Belgium are reported TO
have given assent to such a solution
of the debts dispute temporarily, as
neither is anxious now 10 offend the
British by coming out fatty for any
scheme of pressure that would involve
eventual occupation of Ruhr territory.
f,,,; q hn q NH s.
sador, is said to have received instruc-
tions from Premier Mussolini to stress
the inadvisability of the extreme Fren n
plan at the moment American finance
seems to be interesting itself in Euro
pean affairs
L. =. Observer Not Expected.
However, French official circles doubted
to-day that there would be any Amcri-
can participation, pointing out that An
bassador Harvey is on the way 20
Washington, Ambassador Child is busy
in Lausanne and Ambassador Herrick
so far has not been entrusted with Of
ficial negotiations ON the subject Of
reparatlons This would leave only
Ambassador Houghton In Berlin, who's
selection for such action is regarded as
doubtful.
Discussing the debt compromise re-
ferred TO, THE NEW YORK HERALDs in
formant said it would, perhaps, result
In averting immediate economic pressure
in the Ruhr, but French acceptance
probably would be Forthcoming onlySif
given absolute control OF the Rhine-
land especially customs, railways and
forests and possibly a scheme of inter-
city tollgates. which has been studied
for months hy/ French experts. But 1t
is apparent NJ. Poincare is waiting for
more definite knowledge OF just what
the United States wants, and also on
assurances of what support he can count
upon from Belgium and Italy, in case
a British debts compromise cannot be
developed as French financers hone
Poincare Holds Conference.
Premier Poincare held meeting this
morning at the Foreign office with the
heads OF all Government departments
interested in reparations: and after a
session Of several hours 1t was an
uounced that the COUNCIL had discussed
the question OF obtaining chemical fer
tilizor from Germany. Whatever else
may have been discussed II Is not be-
lieyed that any military matter came up
as no military experts attended.
Thus far French demands for German
fertilizer have either been refused out
right or greatly delayed. while the fields
I'm the devastated regions could use mil
lions OF tons OF fertilizer annually. The
largest fertilizer plants are In the Rhine
land. although to obtain full control
OF these the Allies would have to extend
their bridgehcads 20 take In at least
Frankfort. which would probably evoke
new protests from England, where
Frances FIRST attempt at individual ac-
tion against Germany has not been for
gotten.
To-day's conference stresses the con-
trsst between the methodlc preparations
by the Quai dOrsay for the Premiers'
council and the feverish anxiety reported
from Berlin, which Is expected to Gull
inmate IN "A demand that a German
delegation be heard at next weeks meet
ing.