Arizona republican., 1922-03-23

WASHINGTON, March 22-The
American army OF occupation was
sent into Germany and was contin-
ued there on the basis of the right
of the United States to be paid its
actual cost upon an equal footing
with our allies" and this government
lis unable to conclude that the JUS
tice of its claim is not fully recog-
nized," according to identic COM
munications delivered today by the
American diplomatic representatives
to the governments of Belgium. Great
Britain, France. Italy and Japan.
The notes were delivered under in
structions from Secretary Hughes OF
the department of state, and were
occasioned by recent information
from American observers in Europe
that the allied governments appar-
entity contemplated arrangements
which would ignore American army
costs altogether, although estimates
both for army costs and reparations
were being made on the basis OF the
entire capacity OF the German gov
ernment to pay.
The amount OF the claims of the
United States for its army costs. the
notes declared, was understood TO be
free from any substantial dispute,
but II was deemed to be appropriate
"in view OF recent developments" TO
acquaint the allied governments of
the repeatedly reiterated statement
that the government of the United
States was expecting full paymept
Of the cost Of its army in the Rhine
land.
Basis for the American claim the
notes pointed out. was found In the
armistice agreement. TO which the
United States was a signatory. and
which provided for military occupa-
tion of Germany by the allied and
American forces jointly. That agree
ment. the notes recited, expressly
troops Of occupation in the Rhine
districts should be charged TO the
German government, and 1t was ex-
pressed as the view OF the American
government that the arlnistice agree
ment had the clear import that the
powers associated in that joint en-
terprise should stand upon an equal
footing as TO the payment of all ac-
tual costs of their armies Of occu-
patton"
Treaty Has No Bearing
Priority of payment for the total
cost of all armies of occupation was
imposed by the treaty of Versailles,
the notes set forth, and since the
right of the United States to share
in that priority was mot expressly
upon ratification of the
treaty by the United States. failure
to ratify should not be construed as
in any way American rights.
In that connection the notes pointed
out that Germany has explicitly
to the priority OF payment
OF cost of the American army OF oc-
cupation, Notwithstanding the tact
that the treaty of Versailles has not
been ratified by the United States"
and that hence ANY technical OBJ
lection to the discharge of the Just
claim OF the United States would
rest solely upon the re-
fusal of the allied powers themselves
to permit the discharge of an admit
tedly equible claim" and II was in
sisted that the rights OF America were
free from any technical objection.
The notes set forth that the total
cost Of all armies of occupation from
II, 1918, to May j. 1921,
amounted to 1888, ,2S2, 900 gold marks;
that the amounts due to Belgium, to
France and Italy for their army
costs for that period has been paid
in full. and that the unpaid bal
ance due May 1. 1921, amounted to
/ $50, 100000 gold marks. of which
966. .374, 900 gold marks were due to
.he United States and the remainder
iue the British empire. II was point
ed out also that the British govern
nent had received 130,696,000 gold
marks between May and December
81, 1921. and that the payment. was
expressly made and received subject
10 the rights of the United States
In conclusion the notes stated that
he American government would well
,ome any suggestions from the allied
"for the reasonable ad-
ustment OF this matter" and the
powers were informed that upon re-