, 1922-12-11


LONDON. Dec. 11.-(By
The Associated Press.)-Ad-
Ijournment of the premiers'
conference tonight for eight
days in order to avert an open
rupture between England and
France over the question OF German
r~eparations has been virtually decided
upon. It was Learned today.
The British cabinet rejected the
measur- of force for. the Ruhr dis
trict upon which Premier Posneare In
sisted.
Prime Minister Bonar Law In
formed Premier Poincare that British
public opinion was overwhelmingly
opposed 20 any military measures
against Germany.
Poincare had made n demand for
the occupation Of the Ruhr as a guar
antee for a German moratorium
The conference probably Will re
sumo Its session in eight days in Lon.
don or Paris. Meanwhile II is hoped
that some guarantees may be found
which Will satisfy the French and at
the same time make military action
unnecessary.
It was stated in French circles that
the imminent adjournment war more
iy a maneuver to prevdnt an open
break among the ailies. particularly
between France and England. and
that there was little Likelihood OF
finding e common basis OF agreement
between England and France.
1t was further pointed out that in
spite Mr. Pofncars's desire TO co.
operate with the new British govern
ment. he has been forckd largely by
tho political situation at home to de-
mand the Ruhr as the price Of any
concessions 70 Germany.
The meeting Of the premiers sched-
uled for this noon was postponed un-
ii. four o'clock. It was expected In
the meantime private interviews
wuid take place among the prerniers
in an eleventh hour effort to save the
conversations from what seemed this
morning to he' inevitable postpone
ment.
1t was stated In an authoritative
American quarter hat the chief hope
of bringing the British and French to-
gether during the period OF adjourn
ment to whicis the conference nnw
seems doomed. lies with the United
States. II was sail that England will
probably ask the American govern
ment n Il is willing to cancei the
French debt TO Great Britain and en-
ters a dsfInite agreement with the
American government. ultimately to
pay h British debt to America
This suggestion was made inform
ally last evening to a certain impor-
t-It American now in London and II
wiii probably be presented directly to
Secretary hughes this week.
Great Britain is said to look favor
ably on the cancellation OF the French
debt due her. provided the United
States cancels the French debt c
America. 1t is the belief OF British
officials that the United States off
ciais Will be willing at least to at.
ten da conference at which such a
proposition could be thoroughly dis
cussed. 1t was also stated in Amerf
can circles today that the agreement
to pay the British deb to the United
States coul dor Nigh be accompanied
by n proposal for a long period. say
SO years. In which only Interest would
be paid. It was explained that this
was on the theory that the United
States was primarily Interested IN se-
! curing the ultimate payment Of the
British debt. rather than an immedi-
ate settlement.
In conference quarters. # was the
general view that France la indl-
Gated her wiliip Sness to give up mill
tary penalties in return for the can
collation. of debts by the United States
and Great Britain and would be ready
also to give a long moratorium to
Germany.