Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-03
Probable Move if Reported Re-
ported Refusal of U. S. Gov
eminent to Take Part Proves
True-British Attitude to be
Deciding Factor-French Pa
per Quotes Hughes and His
Reference to Munroe Doc
trine

Paris, Dec. 2.-(By A. P.)-Premier
Poincare's plan for a commission of
experts to examine into the ques-
ton of Germany's ability to pay
PREPARATIONS is considered to have re-
ceived distinct setback through the
reported refusal of Secretary of
State Hughes to have the American
government take part But the dis
position in French government cir
cles tonight was to go ahead.
/ The British attitude, it is admit
ted, will be the deciding factor. The
British views are not yet known.
AS much as the French government
regrets the probable abstention of
the United States from participation,
its reported declination has caused
no great surprise. The newspapers
take it quite calmly, but not without
some Of them making a few caustic
remarks.
The adherence of Sir John Brad
bury, the British representative on
the reparation commission, to M.
Poincare's proposal for two expert
committees to investigate German
finances was greeted at first in
France as a happy preliminary to
probable complete accord with
Great Britain: but on second thought
the press seems to treat it more as
Just another postponement of the
ilnaI reckoning. AS the British
Judgment previously had been
against limited inquiry as not worth
Wh1Ie. 1t is suggested in some poll
tical quarters that Great Britain
may seize upon the absence of the
Americans as q reason for dis
couraglnS continuation of the
committee, particularly as Sir John
bradbury announced at the time that
he regarded American delegates as
vitality essential.
The PREPARATION commission, how
ever may decide to get American
counsel on the expert committees
through the International Chamber
OF Commerce or by direct invitation
to prominent Americans. The
french. in fact, feel that this viii be
sqone, for they doubt it.. the. British.
VIII offer any objection, so long as
Americans sit on the committees
whether they are officially or un-
ofhcially appointed or whether they
vote or not.
The Temps interprets Secretary
Hughes refusal to participate as
merely indicating that he does not
feel that the United States is free
to Join in the movement because the
United States did not sign the treaty
under which the reparation COM
mission was organized. therefore the
newspaper sees no reason why the
committees connot do useful work.
particularly the. second committees
which 1t saws will study ways and
means of bringing back to Germany
capital that now is hidden in other
countries.
The Temps quotes Mr.. Hughes
reference to Germany in his Monroe
Doctrine anniversary address and
asks just how a united and pros
porous Germany could be for peace
and what can be done to enable her
to deserve what Mr.. Hughes hoped
mlsnt be in store for her.
The newspaper remarks that # has
been said. without contradiction. that
the proposal of Mr.. Hughes for an
expert conference sis not of Ameri-
can. but of Germany origin: the idea
was imported to the United States
py a German association presided
oyer by the We'll known banker.
MendelSohn"