South Bend news-times., 1922-12-22
PLAN AMERICAN
COMMISSION ON
WAR INDEMNITY
United States, Great Britain
and Germany Willing to
Accept Proposal.
AWAIT FRENCH VERDICT
Officials Withhold Confirma-
tion-Do Not Deny Action
Is Under Way.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21-(By a.
PA plan under which an Ameri-
can commission would determine
how much Germany should be re-
quired 20 pay the allies in repara-
tions has emerged from the effort
20 find a way for extending Ameri-
can aid toward solution OF the eco
u0mio troubles Of Europe.
Although discussion Of the pro-
posal has been kept thus far out
side the formal channels OF diplo-
macy. the exchange OF views has de-
veloped a thorough understanding in
authoritative circles that the United
States. Greaet Britain and Germany
are all willing 10 assent 20 the
creation Of such a commission.
Await POlncare's Decision.
The plan now is before Premier
Poincare OF France and he is ex-
pected 20 make a decision after he
has concluded a ssries OF conferen-
ces with industrial leaders OF his own
country and OF Germany. It is as
sumed that II will be communicated
later 10 all the nations interested in
reparations payI ents.
Officials OF the Washington gov
eminent. who from the beginning Of
the present discussions have been
unwilling TO do more than hint that
a way was being sought TO render
aid toward a European settlement.
refused today TO discuss the plans
FOR an American commission. Sec'y.
Hughes, however. did issue a state
ment saying that the government"
had presented no proposal" on the
subject.
Busy Behind Scenes"
The procedure by which all OF
those directly Interested are sound
ed out before any definite pro
posa1" is submitted with government
authority behind IL Is the usual
method employed IN negotiations Of
great deHcacy. The secretary's state
ment recalled an assertion made a
few days ago by a White House
spokesman. who said in discussing
the American attitude toward Eur
ope that IL would not be proper 70
display on the stage al that was
taking place behind the scenes.
The plan for an American COM
mission first was disclosed early to-
day in an Associated Press dispatch
from London where the propOsai
has been actively under discussion.
Ths dispatch credited the Chamber
OF Commerce of the United States
OF having laid the suggestion before
Sec'y Hughes and il was learned
here today that much Of the actual
discussion which has taken place
since that time has been conducted
On behalf OF American industry by
officials Of the chamber.
At the state department. there
was a disposition 10 draw a sharp
line Of distinction between the aC-
t.viues OF American and other busi-
ness men IN regard 10 the problem,
and the moves made by government
officials themselves.
Two Groups i'm Touch.
Il became clear during the day.
however. that the two groups had
\ kept In close touch and that not
only Sec'y Hughes but Sec'y Hoover
and others high IN the adm.nistra-
ton were fully advised or efforts
made by Pres't. Julius II. Barnes Of
the Chamber q Commerce and men
IN England, France and Germany
who hold similar posts in the in
dustrlaI world 10 find a formula for
tho solution OF the reparations prob
lerr
Neither az tho state department
nor az Offices OF the chamber was
there any inclination 20 deny the
published report from London tell
ing OF The unofficial plan and its
communication 20 the Washington
government.