Evening star., 1923-10-26
A Move Toward Settlement.

An appreciable advance has been
made toward settlement of the repara-
<ions question through an interna-
tional commission, by virtue of Secre.
tary Hughes reply to the British pro
Dosal for participation by the United
States in such proceeding. This pro-
poSal was in the form Of a dispatch
from Lord Curzon, British minister of
foreign affairs, dated October l., stat
ing that the British government would
De glad to receive from this govern
Inent any suggestion 1t might be dis.
posed to offer.
Secretary Hughes reply in effect re-
states the position OF the United States
as heretofore set forth. Briefly, It ex-
presses entire willingness TO take part
IN an economic conference in which
all the European allies chiefly con-
cerned In German reparations partici-
pate, for the purpose of considering
the questions Of the capscity of Ger
many to make reparatiOn payments
and an appropriate financial plan for
securing such payments.
Two points are stressed, however.
which are, in effect, conditions. One
5 that the United States has no de
sire to see Germany relieved Of her re-
sponsibility for the war, or OF her just
obligations. The other is that such
conference should be advisory, not for
the purpose of binding governments
which would naturally be unwilling to
pledge their acceptance in advance,
but ito assure appropriate recon.
mendations By a thoroughly informed
and impartial body intent upon the
solution of the difficult pending prob
lens upon their merits
Furthermore, says Mr.. Hughes, this
government has consistently MAIN
tained the essential difference between
the questions of Germanys capacity
TO pay and of the practical methods to
secure reparations payments from
Germany, and the payment by the al.
lies of their debts to the United States.
These. he states, constitute distinct
obligations.
In short, the United States is will
ing to take part in advisory confer
ence on the basis of making Germany
pay to the utmost of her capacity,
without reference to the debts owed
TO this country by other governments
The success Of such a movement
necessarily depends upon the willing
ness Of France to participate. Hereto
fore France has not been willing to
proceed further along the line OF in
puiry. Now, however. according to a
dispatch from Paris, France is willing.
Premier Poincare, 1t Is stated. has al
ready so assured Secretary Hughes,
but, it is added, the experts of the in
ternational commission must be named
by the reparations commission. Eng.
land. it is noted, has not yet accepted
this condition.
Thus 1t would appear that Secre-
tary Hughes note to Lord Curzon
must have been based upon receipt Of
word from Paris that France is will
ing to participate in a commission Of
research into Germany's ability to pay,
in which the United States is repre-.
sented, with the provision that the ex-
perts be named by the reparation COM
mission. It is doubtful whether this
government would have renewed its
proposition otherwise. To do so would
have been merely a gesture without
effect.
So 1t may be that the American
plan. as it may be called, of an ESQ.,
nomic advisory research into Ger
many's capacity to pay will ultimately
come into effect, with this country
represented. But, as Mr.. Hughes spe-
ciically states, such a research would
not bear upon the question of the obli-
cations of allied governments to the
United States, which, he notes, is q
distinct question from that of repara-
tions. This reservation keeps. the
United States out of the case as a di.
rectly interested party, and strength
ems it's position as neutral seeking
peace and economic adjustment In Eu-
rope for the sake Of restoring normal
conditions.