The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-09
FRANCE May ACT
ALONE TO FORCE
GERMANS To- PAY
Premier POincare Is Determined
to Exact Guarantees.
To Give England a Chance Be-
fore Invading Rhineland.
PREMIERS IN SESSION TODAY
Most Important Chapter in His
tory of ReparatiOns Claim.
Final Action May Await Brus-
sells Conference in January.
PREMIERS IN SESSION TODAY
fBy The Associated Press.l

tBy Inc ASSOCldIeu HTesS.J
London Dec. 9.-The premierS of
Great Britain, France. Italy and Bel
gium met here today to sketch the
latest and perhaps the most importan.
chapter in the long story of German
reparations The details. it is expect
ed. will De filled in at the forthcoming
Brussels conference to which the con-
versations beginning today are prelim-
mary.
The conference held two hour ses-
sion this morning. adJourning for
luncheon shortly before p. m. The
heads of all four delegations addressed
the gathering, Premier Poincare OF
France holding the floor the longest.
Premier Poincare, as the spokes-
man for the nation most directly con-
cerned with the troublesome repara-
tions problem, was expected to take
occasion at the first meeting with
Bonar Law to state definitely that
France has absolutely no desire to ta'-c
over the Rhineland. Members of the
French delegation believed that the
premier would point out that France,
understanding the futility of annexa-
ton of the Rhine-and-a step which
has been uggested-knowS full well
that such action would only create an
other Alsace-Lorraine and eventually
another war.
Something Must Be Done.
While Premier Poincare was re-
ported not to have reached the point
of definite proposals, he declared the
reparation question had arrived at a
stage where something radical must
be done. He came prepared, he said
to discuss with the others what action
should be taken. Frances great in
terests, he insisted must be recognized.
NJ. Poincare appeared perturbed
when he left his hotel for the confer
ence, having just made denial OF
charge that France intends to annex
the Rhine region. He was in good
spirits, however. when he returned.
from which the French attaches drew
the infere ice that the conference was
going well.
In connection with the conference
it was noted this morning that Karl
Bergmapn. the German financial ex-
pert, had a rived in London.
Force Payment Only.
1t is the opinion of the French their |
nation would control the Rhineland |
only along economic lines during the I
term of a moratorium, collecting the |
taxes and running the railroads as a /
guarantee of Germany's promise to |
sure payment OF her bill.
1t is believed that the London meet
ing will be confined to a discussion 1
Of a moratorium for Germany and to I
the guarantees which France demands.
Premier Poincaire believes the atti-
tude of the United States prevents
Great Britain from canceiling the 1
French debt.
If it seems possible to reach an
agreement at this time on the repa-
rations questions. it is believed NJ.
Poincare would say to Mr.. Bonar Law
IN effect:
I'VE are prepared to agree to a NOR
atorium but only on the condition that
We take over administration of the
Rhinelapd and occupy with one dIv1-
son certain parts of the Ruhr- We
20 of rTz
out if you won't we must act alone
Poincare Is Determined.
The French premier. it is apparent,
3 prepared to examine all proposals
'or settlement of the German ac-
count but he is determined to exact
guarantees. He will not look upon
allure to reach an agreement as a col
apse of the entente, believing that the
ink between Great Britain and France
would remain unbrOken, with France
acting alone
a statement of the positions to be
AIKEN by Britain and Italy in the
Weekend of conversations was eagerly
waited. Premier Mussolini. arriving
lere last night gave no intimation OF
lis views on the reparations question.
1r. Bonar Law, it is believed, may
resent no program, preferring thai '
he British government should main
ain a receptive attitude
The arrival OF the new German pro-
osals which were reported yesterday a
o be on the way from Berlin was also f
waited with interest Unofficial ad- lC
ices said that Chancellor Cuno's sug- S
estions included provision for ex- t
ension of the moratorium granted /
upon the recent payment t
Z treasury notes to Belgium The Y
xtension, the German government Is {
eld to believe, should go beyond the Il
BRUSSELS conference on the ground C
hat the future of the reparationS
uestion hinged on the outcome of {
hat gathering I