New-York tribune., 1922-08-04
Warns House of Com
mons That Pressure ON
Germany May Bring on
Revolt and Total Loss
French View Veers
To Lloyd George
Refusal of United States to
Change Attitude Leaves
Solution to Chief Allies

From IRE Tr,osnes E.ropeas Bureau

rr,cr IRE Tribane'S Esropeas Bureau
r,,yrigI,t. is?c, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Aug. 3. - Great Britain
stands firm for general abatement
~ war debts. but cannot alone bear
she financial hurGsn that would be i'm
po,ed by partial cancellation, Pre-
u,ier Lloyd George told the House Of
Commons tonight. He insisted that
pressing Germany too hard might
bring on revolution, but that, on the
other hand, 1t would be equally disas-
trous to the Allies to underestimate
Berlin's capacity to pay.
In view of the Premier's declaration,
it was believed likely here tonight
that some adjustment Of Germany's
reparations bill would be attempted ct
next Mondays conference of Allied
leaders. The refusal of the United
States to change its attitude toward
general cancellation OF inter-Allied
debts leaves solution of the European
economic difficulties squareiy on the
shoulders OF Great Britain and France.
Hope for some agreement at Mondays
conference was increased by reports
from Paris that Premier Poincare had
prepared a concrete plan and that he
regarded the British point of view as
entirely compatible with French ex-
pectations.
Rebutting the suggestion that if
there were to be any moratorium or
reduction of German annuities the cost
should be borne by Great Britain, Lloyd
George declared in the House of Com
mons tonight:
when we meet on Monday I will
certainly resist any proposals which
would simply have for their effect the
increasing disintegration of Europe
without obtaining anything for our
selves.''
Asquith Favors Cancellation
The keynote of his speech was that
Aere must be justice toward France
sn1 fairness toward Germany, the in
tsrests of Great. Britain, which is bear
ng tie most crushing burden of taxa
den OF any country in the world, must
not be sidetracked. The Premier took
Up sharply the suggestion made by
hernert Asquith, opposition leader.
carrier IN the debate, that all European
aeots 10 Great Britain should ne
wiped eff as an act of good business
lhe more remarkable in view off the
Iact that all Liberal papers are ure-
ing that there should be no cancella-
tlon unless France is ready to reyise
aer european policy.
Lloyd George described the suspes-
lion of Mr.. Asquith as "a most un-
fortunate one, which will give salts
laesioh to everybody who wants to get
ZIG OF his debts and great satisfaction
20 people who press US for payment of
The Premier was not optimistic that
,he questions at issue between Eng
iand and France would be settled at
the conference with Poincare, saying
there were too many difficulties and
complications to be ironed out imme-
aiateiy, but that whatever was done
ne hoped France, Belgium and Great
efltain would be able to march to-
gcthey. -"
Defining the British governments
sttltude toward Germany, I,loyd
neorge said there were two cons;dera-
lions to be borne in mind. On the
one hand, IF you press Germany too
nard you get nothing" On the other
nend, ut is mistake, because there
are risks and dangers to run awav
from fair and just claims"
developing the first point the Premier
declared that If Germany were pressed
5oo hard the country might throw itself
sh'o the hands OF the Communists or
Continued on page fsur)