The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-11-08
Decides to Accept Restrictions,
but Fears Premier Poincare'S
Action Has "Torpedoed"
the Conference.
u. S. TO NAME CHAIRMAN
Hope to Begin Sessions Before Rhine
Break-Up-Quick Action Sought
Before Paris Adds More Com
plications in the Ruhr.

London. = The British Government
has decided to go on with the negotia-
tons for an expert inquiry into Ger
man finances even though it be sub
1ect to the restrictions laid down by
Premier Poincare. 1t has received ac-
ceptances to its proposal not only from
France but from Belgium and Italy
and thus has obtained the unanimity
Of the rest of the European powers
'Fhich Secretary Hughes in his reply
of October 10 to Lord Curzon declared,
vas necessary condition of Ameri-
can participation in the investigation.
Thus Great Britain has brough about
q situation in which she can again
interest herself in European affairs,
and she would be unwilling to do any
thing to jeopardize that important step
toward effecting a general settlement.
The precise procedure which will
now be followed is still undecided, but
it appears likely that as the Washing
ton Government has asked for an indi-
cation from the European powers they
will agree among themselves to join
in issuing it. That will probably be
done at Washington, the British
Charge d'Affaires uniting with the
Ambassadors of France, Belgium and
Italy in making representations at the
State Department.
Acceptance by Great Britain of the
French conditions does not mean, how
ever, that she is satisfied She knows
that once the international commits
sion Of experts started, it may, by it's
authority, overcome whatever restric-
tons stand in the way of its making
a really thorough report. The British
have always believed in the examina-
ton of German finances by an interna-
tional body on which the United
States was represented
Probably the recommendations the
commission will draw up could now be
anticipated by all the experts who
have investigated the problem, but the
difficulty has been to induce France
to accept them. It is calculated here,
however, that once they are set out
clearly to an Independent body Of I'M
deniable financial eminence it will be
impossible for the Reparation Commits
sion or the French Government to dis
regard them. So, in the same way it |
is hoped that if the commission re-
quets, as its inquiry goes on, the right
to examine German witnesses, or in
formation on the continuance of the /
occupation of the Ruhr, or other polit- I
ical problems, it will be found in prac-
tice impossible to refuse it.
This consideration brings up the I
question of the composition of the /
Investigating committee and the great |
Importance of it's members being of /
such standing as to give them real /
The method of their ap- |
has not yet been decided, |
but it seems likely that as they are
to work under the Reparation Com
mission they must have their authority |
from that body That would not, how
ever, prevent their real nomination |
being made by the Governments of |
their respective countries, and hope is
expressed that the Reparation Com I
will accept the men whose
names are suggested to it.
The London Parliamentary CORE
spondent says that it is reported from /
some quarters that the American ex-
pert will be invited to be chairman |
Of the Committee of Inquiry, and that |
it is suggested in Paris that the meet |
ing place should be Berlin, if it is not |
to be held in Paris.