The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-23
LIGHT I
 THROWN UPON J. 5. PROPOSAL.
Efforts to Solve European Preparations Tangle Are Now Being Carried on Be- hind Curtains of Off,
 ciaI Secrecy
By Associated Press

situation relative to the extension of American aid toward European reparations settlement continued today to present badly rounded picture. on which little light was thrown.
 American officials reiterated their denials of government backing at the present stage for the Ameri- can commission plan sponsored by commercial leaders and of various statements regarding the direction in which American official opinion was tending.
 Mystery ContInucs
 But there was no denial that Washington officials had discussed the commission proposal among themselves and with others. and no one attempted to give the impression that the United States government would be dspleased should the dis cusslons now In progress result in an agreement
 Neither did any official explain the true character of the mysterious movlngs behind the scenes of world diplomacy to which allusion has been made repeatedly in official out-giv- ings both in Washington and in the capitals of Europe.
 
 In all of their negative comment on the subject. state department au- thorities seemed most anxious to deny that the sovernmont Itself. despite the close touch 1t Is main taining with the situation, was in any way party to the plan for a survey commission, suggested first by officials of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
 Not to Make ProposnI
 It was said flatly that the Ameri- can government at present has no connection with the commission plan which contemplates inquiry Into the ability of Germany to pay repara- tons Furthermore. one official in- dlcated that If the commission plan ever came to the point where pro posal for It's acceptance could be made through diplomatic channels, the United States would not be the proper power to make that proposal It was pointed out that treaty rights are involved in the reparations diff ference. and that no formal offer to mediate would be In place from any government except in the solicitation of the governments involved in the controversy.
 AS the commission plan now is ex- pIained here. the commission would be an unofficial body so far as the Washington government is concerned. and would have to do only with reporting It's findings as to Ger many's economic ability to pay. Allies Must Decide
 What actual figure would be fixed as a reparations total would. of course. be a matter that the allied governments must decide for them selves. But with the economic re- port on Germany available. known to represent the views of industrial experts without any national bias. 1t has been the hope of sponsors If tho American commission plan that there could be an agreement as to tho amount and form of German payments which would finally settle tho question.
 The only inkling as to the hopes of the American government in It's efforts to find way to repara- tions settlement was prediction made today that If 1t ever became possible to announce any official plan, it would be found to be very practical proposal, lacking In any sensational quality. Anything that Ia being done officially in the way ot getting a clear understanding of governmental attitudes abroad 1t was Indicated, was aimed at such con cention of the problem to be solved.