Evening star., 1923-01-08
Outcome at Paris Focuses Atten-
ton on Hughes Plan.

|
| The suggestion of Secretary of State
Hughes of a method for complete and
! independent probe of Germany'S finan-
cial status has attracted new in
terest as the result of the develop
ments of the Paris conference Edi-
tors again are discussing the Hughes
plan from every angle, and there are
a. great many who believe that it
| is. after all. about the only way in
which politics can be eliminated from
the, whole question of European
economic reconstruction. There is
likewise an active minority who be-
ilieye that such a plan is unneces-
sary and that the proper solution is
TO have America officially repre-
sented on the reparations commission.
Arguing that, stripped of all other
issues. the Hughes proposal would
create another reparations commits
sion. the Newark News Cndepend-
lent) SAYS: why Secretary Hughes,
after his experience with the dis
armament conference, should cling
TO the idea of a substitute is difficult
TO understand. 1t would have been
easier and simpler to have made the
status of the unofficial American
Representative on the reparatlons
commission official. Surely he does
not expect France to agree in advance
TO accept the decisions of the sub
stitute commission signing away its
right to dissent" Holding a some
what similar view, the New YORK
World (democratic) also feels that
"Mr. Hughes will have to come to
the Borah idea, which is that poll
ticians cannot artificially sunder
problems which economic necessity
has Joined together He will have to
learn that half a bridge across
river is really no bridge at all"
"The Harding proposal Is
to take the reparations question out
0e politics" says the New York Tr1-
bune (repu blican), and the plan gives
Europe the last word, as 1t ought TO
do. The administration hrst move
is practical and persuasive. And the
raparations problem can be solved
from the outside only by program
which is we'll fortified in both these
rasnects" The plan does not go FAR
enough, however, in the view OF the
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot (democrat1c),
which feels that the state Depart
nIan of joining Europe in swim
Without coming near the water. That
policy has to its credit two years or
conspicuous failure. 1t is likely to
continue a failure" 1nasmuch as all
mast plans have failed. the Cleveland
plain Dealer Independent democratic)
feels that a trial of the Hughes
method might work out beneficial
", inasmuch as such a commits
sion's report might show that the
force of world opinion will be con-
siderable influence against obsC1nacy
and selfishness and unless some nation
feels that its rights are outrageously
ignored or subordinated there would
he no rejection of the commi ssions 8
findings Indorsing this declaration,
the Mobile Register Gndependent dem
ocratic) suggests that Mr.. Hughes
cannot hope that poiltlcs VIII De gone
away with, but he proposes method
af getting at the truth without poll
tics and letting the truth have it's
erect upon the politicians. 1t is
constructive program he offers"
Inasmuch as the Hughes position is
democrat independently, after point
ing out that lit is much to be hoped
that France eventually will agree to
such a suggestion, points out that
ttour heIpfulness depends entirely on
that and it is encouraging to learn
that our government is laboring to
that end. The influence of the United
States is bound to be great, and it is
right that it should be exercised to
the full in the promotion of those
settlements which are OF such vital
Importance to us and to the world"
The statement lis Sadmirably clear
and vigorous" the Huntington Her
Dispatch independently says, and
u Il Mr.. Hughes speaks for every
p eriotie American The sdEEestion