Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-09
DEMANDS SHIPPING BOARD RETIRE
IN FAVOR PRIVATELY OWNED Lines
WASHINGTON KEEPS
TO SILENCE ROLE
ON PREPARATIONS

Washington, Nov. S.-F'inal de-
cision as to whether the United
States will find it possible to parti-
c1pate in an expert inquiry into the
reparations situation limited to the
present capacity of Germany to
meet her obligations apparently still
awaits completion of conversations
between Secretary Hughes and AM
bassador Jusserand.
The situation was said authoria-
lively to be exactly where it was last
night when the French ambassador
left the State Department after his
second interview with Mr.. Hughes
for the purpose of explaining Premier
Poincare's attitude.
The embargo upon discussion here
by government of diplomatic officials
of the exchanges between the Sccre-
tary and the Ambassador was not
lifted in any way. 1t was learned,
however, that officials expect definite
developments any moment. The in
depreciation generally placed upon
this expectation was that further in
structionS to the Ambassador from
his government were necessary be-
fore the Washington administration
could decide whether it would APP
prove of the calling of conference
restricted as desired by the French
premier.
In some quarters where there pro-
badly is definite knowledge as to de-
tails OF the Hughes Jusserand eX-
changes, it was said that the French
and American viewpoints still were
far apart. The impression prevailed
0dNinnS cd do
by Ambassador Jusserand from
Paris and on which his amplification
OF Premier Poincare's attitude was
based in his subsequent talk with
Mr.. Hughes. had not furnished the
secretary with the exact understand
ing OF the French limitations that the
Washington government feels it's
| must have to guide it's action.
In other words. it was said. the
meaning of present capacity" as
used by the French government in
the negotiations between Paris and
, London is not clear to the Washing
ton government. Presumably the
French foreign office has been asked
for further details as to the specific
things the proposed committee of ex-
perts could or could not inquire into
under that language.
PENDING completion of the CONVEX
sations with the French ambassador,
Secretary Hughes talked today with
| officials of the British, Belgian, and
Italian embassies who called at his
office. 1t was diplomatic day" at
the State Department. the day of
| each week in which diplomats may
expect to see the Secretary without
special appointment
While the ultimate decision as to
whether an invitation for American
participation in an expert inquiry
shall be sent rests with the allied
governments. the result of the pres
ent converse tons in Washington I'M
doubtedly will determine their action
in that regard. Should the CONVEX
|, sations here reach point where
Secretary Hughes finds it necessary
to indicate to the French government
that he can see no useful purpose
to be served by the creation of a
committee to operate under the
limitations set by France. there is
no question but that the proposal to
send formal invitation would be
dropped by the allies. In that sense,
the final decision rests with Wash
ington and evidently is dependent
upon further advices from Paris