Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-08-17
Secretary Hughes Sends
Message to London
Embassy

WASHINGTON. Aug. IT: (By The
Associated Press) To clear away
any misunderstanding in London re-
garding the attitude of the Coolidge
retary Hughes has cabled to the
American embassy there the sub
stance OF the story carried from
Washington by The Associated
Press on August 15, with a notifica-
ton that the declarations it contain
ed represented the precise position
of the United States government.
This disclosure was made today as
"a result of the wide publication of
untrue reports that the state depart
ment had sent to foreign govern
ments, through the American en-
bassies abroad, a new note on repar-
ations. The informatory message to
the embassy in London is the only
communications n reparations
which has been sent abroad by the
department.
The message to London was in
tended to correct a Misrepresentation
evident in London dispatches, which
had indicated that it was felt the
Coolidge administration had modi
fed TO some extent the previous poll
icy of Washington relative to parti-
cipation in any attempt to settle the
reparations difficulty. 1t was reaf-
firmed that there had been no
change whatever in policy as result
of the change in the presidency.
The Associated Press story re-
ferred to, the substance of which
was repeated in the dispatch to the
London embassy, set forth the posi-
tion of the United States as follows:
reports from London rejecting
a feeling that there has been a well
come change in the attitude of the
Washington government toward rep
arations were said on highest au-
thority here today to appear alto
gether too optimistic.
Nothing has been said in Wash
ington on behalf of the Coolidge ad-
ministration, it was pointed out,
which indicates the slightest depar-
ture from the statement made by
Secretary Hughes in his New Haven
speech last December.
THE American viewpoint will not
be determined until plans abroad
have been matured. Any suggestions
to the contrary are characterized
here as wholly without foundation" ;"
This outline of the governments
position, which had been obtained
on the highest authority, was COM
municated by the Associated Press
and by the foreign news agencies
with whom 1t cooperates, to all parts
of Europe, to the British dominions
and to the Far East. 1t is assumed
here that the wide distribution of
this authoritative despatch led to the
erroneous report that the govern
ment itself had sent out repara-
tions circular to the foreign powers.
| The effect of this re-affirmation of
policy is that the United States is
prepared to consider any matured
proposal with relation to the repair
ations problem, provided that pro-
posal is of such character that all
legitimate American interests Will be
adequately protected.
! That policy characterized the hand
ling of the reparations matter in
Washington under President Harding
land was disclosed originally in Sec
iretary Hughes speech at New Hav-
en-. 1t was re-affirmed at the White
House Tuesday on behalf of Presi-
dent Coolidge.
While Mr.. Hughes message to the
embassy was prompted by the ap-
parent misunderstanding in the
London press, 1t will undoubtedly
be communicated informally to the
British foreign Office in order that
no false basis for any suggestion to
the United States may be permitted
/ to continue.
The Washington government Is
very anxious to avoid further COM
Iplicating the already badly snarled
Preparations problem, and has thus
taken steps to make its own position
entirely clear to all concerned.
Paris Note Ready
| PARIS, Aug. 17.-(By The Asso-
| ciated Press)-The French reply to
/ the British reparation note will be
sent this evening to Brussels for the
Information of the Belgian govern.
ment and will probably be delivered
In London at the beginning OF mex
week. AS soon as 1t is in the handS
of the British government 1t Will pt
made public here and new yeuo"
book will be published including
both the British and French notes
Food Shortage Acute
DUESSELDORF, Aug. IL (By The
Associated Press) Increased effort;
to relieve the food shortaze in the
occupied area were revealed today
by the announcement that 500 car
loads of foodstuffs had entered the
Ruhr valley yesterday from unoccu'
niad Ctarmanv. Heretofore the daily