The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-11-07
Debt Meet
Hinges on
Paris Reply
Exact Meaning Of Restrictions
on Economic Farley Sought
by America From
France.
U. S. May Feed Germans
France.
BY Associated Press.

of American helpfulness in the Eu-
ropean economic crisis apparently
hinged tonight upon detailed explana-
tions of the Poincare restrictions on
the proposed expert inquiry into the
reparations tangle. Up to this time,
it. was learned authoritatively, the
1Gshshington government has not been
able to find out exactly what the
French premier had in mind in pro-
posing to confine the inquiry to Ger
many's present" capacity to make
PREPARATIONS payments.
Conversations between President
Coolidge and Ambassador Jusserand
today, and between the French am
bassador and Secretary Hughes yes
terday, it is known, turned almost
wholly on the effort to determine
the exact nature of the French re-
strictions. AS it has been translat-
ed in London, the French phrase
reads: Capacity to pay at present
and for limited future period"
1t was evident today that the am
bassador had been unable to amplify
this sufficiently and has cabled his
government for a detailed explana-
tion, for which government officials
here are waiting with deep interest.
Appeal to Patience.
In view of this situation. 1t was
stated emphatically that reports that
the negotiations had met a deadlock
were wholly without foundation. Ad-
ministration officials on the con
trary. regard the door as still open
to American cooperation in the
search for a solution of the repara-
tions problem. provided the allied
powers desire such aid. After Presi-
dent Coolidge's conference today with
Ambassador Jusserand, a White House
spokesman urged that the American
public exercise patience.
The Washington administration is
not inclined to express in advance of
a specific understanding as to just
what is meant by the French restric-
tSns, it's willingness to cooperate in
any form of investigation except such
as was outlined in Secretary Hughes
answer to Lord Curzon. The Ian
guage of the British proposal to the
allied governments incorporates to an
important degree the language used
by Secretary Hughes in that COM
munication.
Verbal changes proposed by Bel
gium and acceptable to Great Britain
and Italy do not, In the American
view, alter the sense Of the original
proposal materially. The French
proposals for restrictions. however,
are looked on as possibly Involving
a radical limitation which would
alter completely the nature of the
inquiry.
The language of the French pro-
posals is subject to various possible
interpretations.
A complete understanding of the
limitations sought is rendered more
difficult by the fact that the original
text of the French restrictions is in
the French language and variations
in translation are possible as there
are many English equivalents, not
precisely similar in meaning, for some
French expressions and words.
In the conferences with Ambas-
sador Jusserand there is no doubt
that all of these shadings OF meanings
have been discussed. 1t has also
been disclosed officially that the am
bassador received from President
Coolidge a restatement. of the Ameri-
can attitude which already had been
disclosed to him by Secretary Hughes.
While further developments appar-
nrzutly awaited upon the formulation
ssRd receipt of the French reply so
far as final decision on the expert
committee plan is involved, govern
ment officials here have been giving
further consideration to the possible
scope of American aid In the fore
shadowed famine crisis in at least
from Germany has convinced Presl-
dent Coolidge that aid must be forth
coming during the winter and until
the next German crops con be har-
vested. So far as has been disclosed,
however, no definite plans for max
ing American surplus foodstuffs have
yet taken shape.
Some American observers In Ger
many are understood to have re-
ported that in the regions where help
will be needed most, the chief lack
IN IOOuslullS IN LOT ldtS idthcI 'i"i
grain. This report has directed the
attention of some administration of
ficials to figures which show that the
Emitted States has a very large sur
plus Of hogs which might be used
10 meet the emergency should II
prove possible to work out prac
ticable relief scheme.
The food situation In Germany
while not intimately related to the
plan for an expert inquiry into the
separations problem, serves to em
phasize In American eyes the need
for as little delay as possible among
the allies in reaching a decision on
the course they will take.
Shun Politics Abroad.
1t serves also to some extent. Ia
move the Washington government tc
the informal efforts II Is making to
fang about an agreement abroad. II
is emphasized by all responsible
spokesmen for the Coolidge admins
tration, however, that there has beer
no departure from the fixed policy oi
avoiding any participation in Europe'i
political affairs.