Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-05

be taken in advance of that date and
formal announcement of Germany'S
failure to make required payments
within the time limit.
Since Secretary Hughes made his
suggestion to the premiers in his
New Haven speech. both the French
and British plans for settlement have
been presented and rejected. 1t is
to be noted that the French pro-
posal carefully avoids any employ
ment of the French army, at least
in the first instance. in the plan for
reparations collections advanced.
The work would be done by civil
commissioners sent from Franco.
That this relieves the French plan of
elements of force against which the
American secretary of state directed
his remarks at New Haven is wholly
improbable, Mr.. Hughes said at that
time:
I'VE should view with disfavor meas
ures which. instead of producing repa-
rat ions, would threaten disaster
At another point the secretary asked
what was to be done if the Paris con-
ference failed to reach an agreement.
1.-THE alternative" he continued. of
f.. chile measures to obtain reparations
is not an attractive one. No one can
foretell the extent of the serious con-
sequences which might ensue from
such course. Apart from political
results, 7 believe that the opinion of
experts in that such measure will not
produce PREPARATIONS payments. but
might tend to destroy the basis of
those payments which must be found in
economic recupera ton"
There can be little doubt that the
Secretary's words precisely indicate the
view of the Washington government as
to the probable effect of the French
plan of action. although they were ut
tered before tho French plan was made
public. The political results that Off
Gals here believe would result in Ger
r:any from the proposed French meas
ures evidently are OF an ev>n more Sc
rious character. although Mr.. Hughes
specifically eliminated them from con-
siGeration in his speech. There is no
doubt that state department adviccs
have indicated that collapse of the
German government was to be expected
If forcIblc collections We're attemptd
and that political chaos probably would
-ollow.
There was much speculation after
word came of the break up of the
premiers' meeting as to the effect
any French determination to carry
cuC liCil independently HISHI
have on the status of the American
army of occupation on the Rhine.
No word on this point was available
from any authorized spokesman.
Secretary Hughes conferred late in
the day with Secretary Weeks, but
it was learned authoritatively after
ward that the subject Of the forces
on the Rhine was not mentioned.
Earlier in the day. Mr.. Hughes
spent more than an hour with AM
bassador Harvey. Again, however,
no word was given out as to the
nature of the discussion. Since Mr..
Harvey was called home from Lon
don very largely for the purpose of
talking over with President Harding
and Mr.. Hughes the situation that
has now presented itself, it is to be
inferred that the Washington ad-
ministration is not as vet without
hope that the course it has suggest
ed informally will appeal to Allied
statesmen in their dilemma and
American helpfulness in the crisis
become available to Europe through
the only avenue officials here can
see to that result.
There is little reason to believe
that there would be any immediate
ShohSC VI pOIlCy III re.
garding the troops on the Rhine,
even if the French government
should proceed to execution of it's
reparations plans. The question of
movement of French forces through
the American Rhine pridgehead ter
ritory into the Ruhr is not in i'm
mediate contemplation.
What ultimate effect of the
French operations beyond the Rhine
might have on the status of Major
General Aliens command is a de-
batable question. 1t would not be
taken up in Washington, it is indi-
Gated. in advance of the event and
no definite policy regarding with
drawal of the force is to be expected
except in the light of conditions of
fact warranting change in attitude
here.