New-York tribune., 1922-12-18
President to Ask Allies to
Accept Decision of Ex'
perts From u. s. on the
Sum Germany Can Pay
Borah Lays Down
Conditions Of Aid
Nations of Europe Must
Drop Imperialism and
Cut Down Armament,
"Irreconcilable' Says
By Carter Field

DJ )oANCt h~a0
WASHINGTON, Dec. i7.-Con-
vinced that settlement Of the repara~
tIons question is the key to tho whole
European trouble. the first feature
Of the aeenda being worked out by
President Harding and his advisers
Is a plan for experts from this eoun'
try 10 referee" that particular dis
pute.
There is, naturally, no desire ~
force the opinion Of this country or
Europe on this question. No move
viii be made unless there are cordial
invitations for this country TO par
ticIpate. Repeated indications, how
ever, arc that every nation involved,
even France herself, viii be glad 20
have this eountry's aid In working
out the problem. -,
Dispatches from France and Belgium
yesterday and to-day indicating op1osi-
tion 20 President HArding's plans a.
"pro-G German" are not taken seriously
here for the simple reason that no
statement Of the Harding plan has been
made. The bsrest outlines have been
skstehsd IN a number Of eonyersations
and Il "a frankly admitted. first, that
the plan itself Is stili IN a very uebu'
lous condition, and, seecnd1that the
time for presenting Il has not arrived,
But the charge that the United
States 10 making pro-Csrman move
may easily como later, and may BE-
frsiKhtsd WITH some bittefasss, n &
conceded here, for the one thing ~hieh
tho ADMINISTRATORS believes viii have &
bs done speedily is 10 come 20 seni'
aRrssment on the amount OF rspara
tions which Germany can pay.
France Seen a. Stumbling Block
There are advisers Of the President
who believe that France will not aerss
TO fixing the total separations amount
at a figure which any group Of expert
will find that Germsny can pay 1hsy
believe that France wants eventually 70
occupy the left bank OF the Rhine per-
rnanently, and hopes 20 gain this enc
through the fnal failure Of Gcrmsn,
70 pay the reparations.
But there is no thought Of hasinf
this country submit q fiat proposition
Tor the settlement Of the reparatione
question. The plan Is 10 oeer grour
OF American experts, who will 80 into
the situation thoroughly and submit
report ss 70 the amount Of reparationf
which Germany can pay.
This government has declared, IN
note signed By Secretary Of STATE
Hughes, that II believes Germany
should not be allowed 70 escape pay
mont Tor the damage she has wrought,
but that Germany should be compellee
20 pay 10 the limit Of her ability II
IS THIS limit OF her ability, measured
IN definite terms, which this govern
ment will propose that American ex'
perts should ascertain.
Some OF the Presidents advisers be-
lieve that France may be driven by thhe
force OF world opinion % accept thif
offer. Certainly, according 20 advice
here. the whole power Of the brtisl
government and OF practically ever,
nation Affected Will be thrown IN ths
gcale 10 accomplish that purpose.
other Allies Anxious to Aid
Refusal BY France, Il is believes
here. Il .he only rock which can wrec.A
In adyArce the possibility Of Amerieet
saving the European situatlon' nssf,
is no disposition on the part OF this
government at the present moment "
brin1 pressure to bear op France, but
shere q no doubt OF tho disposition y
the other countries intereeted. 4.
ls IL ssems tonight, France y ~
danger Of being told that she must .e'
cent the approaching .oner ot W
United States 10 have the feparation.
amount refereed By Ameriesn ehpsIN
or she will be left alone 70 race ~
consequences next spring "ncn 70
starvation line In Germany Is etPseeee
Conditions on which even zoe lIIss
oncilabie element might nos ypPee
American AID IN settling .uropes ~,
oied Affairs were outlined in 49,,
ment tonight by Senator Millam =
Borah. the original treaty killsr,on sns
Republican eide, as Senator heeq
the original on tho DemocfaNS ls
aNo one can bs blind or indiherena
N the situation IN Europe" sensto;
porah said. mo one can disregard
aither from a humanitarian or eco
nsnie or business viewpoint. The sitg,
alton Is serious enough. kFsf1Doos
knows that.
Action vital, Says Borah
ct does no good now 70 ssy that AZ
this was easily foreseen and menl
times forctold. The policies "hieh
Nave obtained In Europe since the AZ.
miatice could produce no ether resvs
than the present condition OF tdrmciA
ard misery. II was inevitable, But tn.
situatIon Il here and every one, o.
course, thinks about what can be done
~Ths hrSt thing II would seem, y
for Europe, that Is. the three or four
leading powers Of Europe, to change he
pollelss now obtaining. Every d,
thsre is a perfect chorus Of voices ds
cIarlng. sThe United states must help
Europs! Is Il not we'll &C che sans
tIre 10 understand distinctly that ths
United States cannot possibly Be o. sny
service 70 Europe until Europe changes
her program
"A iittie Item In yesterday dc
matches reveals the key 10 The Interne'
tlonnl policies Of Europs. Ihe tispatph
rsadss Crest Britain and Turkey hsys