Evening star., 1923-07-22
FRENCH HAIL NOTE
ON PREPARATION AS
SETTLEMENT BASIS
British Reply Leaves Every
Door Open to Agreement
Among Allied Powers.
COVERING LETTER ASKS
CONFERENCE ON ISSUES
Paris Officials See Real Step To-
ward Adjustment-German
Policy Raped.
by WILBUR FOREST.

IAhlS, July 2l.-The British draft
reply to Berlin's reparation note of
June I, which was received at the
French foreign office at noon today
as we'll as the covering letter. leaves
"a broad, open highway for an inter-
allied agreement. Neither in the note
nor the letter is anything contained
which indicates that Britain has ut
tered its final word in this matter.
Britain goes so far as to suggest
that Germany modify its attitude in
the Ruhr in the hope of a modifica-
tion of the attitude of the occupying
forces.
The writer is able to state tonight
that persons high in French govern
ment circles, who have studied this
note all afternoon consider that it
embodies d real step toward con-
ciiiation of the French and British
points of view. Moreover, the lam
guage of the British covering letter.
no more restrained than that of the
note itself, gives proof of British
consideration of the French theory
that the main obligations of Ger
many should be set back for a period
of ten to fifteen years. with a pro-
visional settlement covering the pres
ent needs of the devastated areas
and possibly some consideration for
all the allies, to be arrived at imme-
diately.
Discussion Suggested.
The covering letter suggests a
general discussion among all the
allies after Germany has arrived at
: its answer. Substantially it sug.
gests that after inter-allied unity
has become a fact the Ruhr occu-
patton could be reduced and virtu-
ally changed into an inter-allied oc-
cupation. and that a conference of
the allies would then be necessary
to discuss the whole problem-not
only the sums demanded of Germany,
but the matters of guarantees and
inter-allied debts.
In speaking of this general allied
discussion the words For a provis-
ory or definite settlement" are used.
The proposal for a provisory settle
ment is a French thesis and it is
we'll known that a permanent set
tlement" represents the British aim.
London's draft reply to Germany
deals at some length with the Berlin
proposals for expert inquiry into
Germany's ability to pay and also
with the question of guarantees. 1t
then advises Berlin in substantially
the foreign language:
Such an inquiry or such a settle
ment is impossible to think of so
long as the German government con-
tinues the same attitude of obstruc-
tion against the occupying powers
often with deplorable violence mani
Testing itself, but if this attitude is
modified it would result in corre-
spending change in the attitude of
the occupational forces and a return
to normal economic life.
See Progress Soon.
That London proposes to send such
a message to Berlin is the opinion
of many here. familiar with the text
of the British note. and real progress
toward fruitful Franco British CO.
operation is seen. There is no doubt
that Premier Poincare is firm against
meeting the demand for an expert in
Germany to pay reparatfons, and that
he favors even sharper comment on
the question of guarantees. But If,
as reported today from the British
embassy England will be content to
admit discussion and possible modifi-
cation of the text, NJ Poincare's OBJ
lection may be overcome by this
route.
"One thing is certain" one high
government official remarked tonight.
mo single door has been closed in
the direction of future discussion of
the reparation question. There seems
no question of Britain's dealing sepa-
rately with Berlin or shaking the
entente"
Open for Discussion.
Todays communication does not
Indicate that London is thinking of
abandoning it's own reparation per-
centage. On the other hand, the
whole tenor Of the communication Is
that matters are open for amicable
discussion. In the matter of passive
resistance in the Ruhr. though Lon
don does not openly condemn this
mode of resistance, 1t has leaned fur
ther toward the French side than
the German in advising Germany to
modify it.
1t is true that the minority opinion
,in Paris tonight feels disappointed
with the note and inclined to believe
that France should reject it. But the
majority opinion is otherwise, and
conversations on the subject have
already begun between Paris and
Brussels.
Premier Poincare today conferred
at length with Ambassador st. Au
Iaire, who has arrived from London,
and also with Marshal Foch
The latter, it is understood, is an
advocate of close French co-opera-
tion with Great Britain even at the
expense of some concessions. He
frankly advised the premier along
these lines today, expressing the
belief that the Franco-German con-
troversy is playing into the hands Of