Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-11-17
FRANCE ILLUSTRATES AMERICAS
AID in SOLVING EUROPEAN
PREPARATIONS PROBLEM.

Washington Nov.-France and tho
United States came definitely to a
parting OF the ways today on the pro-
possl to enlist American aid toward u
solution of the reparatHons problem.
Premier Poincare was ADVISED ny
Secretary Hughes, through Ambassa-
uor Jusserano, that restrictions insist
ed upon by France would serve to 'trus
trate the object OF the Washtng.tn
government III offering American co.
operation IN an expert reparatlOns an
curry plan.
The State Depal tment refused to 60
beyond rh,is point in disclosing the pur
port anc result OF recent conversations
-,,iIh the ambassador In wnicn detailed
explanations OF the French attitude
were made. No formal invitation t.
participate in an expert inquiry Is be
,.v .,ie washington government ana
u declination is therefore, not In or
der. In the circumstances, no invita-
ton from the allied powers now Us Ca
pected.
PARIS RENDERS INQUIRY FUTILE
There is no doubt that such an inv
tation, II presented unoer the french
restrictions would be declined. Presi-
dent Coolidge feels that the tren1n
limitations render the inquiry pla1
useless and futile. lie beneVes the
French restrictions would reduce TIE
inquiry to a mere audit OF German az
counts: that the United States couio
serve no useful purpose by sanctioning
Ax,HA nry intv mn in III La
ton that could not produce broad ana
comprehensive plans for economic re
Mobilization of Germany and adeQult
payments by Germany on reparatious
accounts.
The conversations at the State D.
partment ended today when Ambassa-
Gor Jesserand called with advices from
his government which reached MIN
while Mr.. Coolidge and his cabinet
were discussing the situation On the
basis of previous explanations from
Paris.
NO MODIFICATION OF ATTITUDE.
Today's message showed no modiiI-
cation of the French attitude and add
cd nothing new to the situation. Secrt-
tary Hughes, before receiving the am.
bassador, made second visit to the
White House for a brief conference
with the President in preparation tor
presenting the American decision.
The exchange between Secretary
Hughes and Ambassador Jesseranl
served to bring CIT c detailed state
ment of the limitations on the expert
inauiry desired py the French govern
ment.
With respect to the stipulation made
in Paris that the experts should nc,
discuss the occupation or the Ruhr. the
ambassador explained this would me a.
In the French view, that the experts
could examine all questions as to the
resources of the Ruhr the value OF N
dustrial establishments and the produc
not, however, discuss the legality Of
the French occupation, the system "
collection of taxes in the Ruhr region
imposed by the French occupying fore
es, the guarantees seized by French
troops or the agreement recently reach
ed between the French authorities and
the German industrialists of the Ruhr.
EXPLAINS RECENT CAPACITY.
On the question of the meaning of
the French stipulation present capao
ity,' to which the experts would have
been limited in studying German re.
sources which might yield the means
or payment Of reparatiOns, the ambas.
sador explained this could be interpre.
ted as meaning the survey of the situa
ton up to and including the year 1890
Both the 1880 dead line and the re-
striction that would have been impos,
eel by the Ruhr stipulation were given
general consideration by Secretary
Hughes in formulating his answer.
Inc 1880 proposal in itself, however,
was regarded by the American govern
ment as foreclosing the possibility @,
approaching a comprehensive study OF
she situation and the formulation of
far-reaching financial plans to avoid
economic disaster in Europe. To pre-
vent such disaster was the only OBJ.
Ject sought in proffering the help OF
competent American experts in an Of
Tort to solve the reparations tangle.
1t was explained to the French dipIo
mat that the period up to 1880 would
have to be largely devoted to the very
VI oiy pioh
to give reasonable promise of an eco
nomic restoration in Germany at some
future date.
LITTLE TO OBTAIN IN
SEVEN YEARS
mere was no reasonable hope from
Tire American viewpoint, the Ambassa
dor was advised that any substantial
payments toward settlement of the
Preparations obligations of Germany
man productivity that possibly could
be brought about within the seventeen
limit.
1t was reiterated that the Washing
ton government had made it's original
suggestions for an expert inquiry q
year ago, and had renewed them in
the recent Hughes-Curzon correspop
dence in a spirit of friendship to all of
the allied countries and for the solo
purpose OF finding some means to make
available American helpfuIness in
the European crisis.
The fact that France has found II Inn
possibiee TO accept the proffer of Amerj
can aid although her allies. Great Bri
tain, Italy and belgium, have indicated
their desire to take steps to that end
has not changed tho daoira ~ tho 80