The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-07
NE W NEGOT| NATIONS T0 BE ATTEMPT TED, |S BERLIN VIEW
Latest "Utmost" Offer Of Teutons To France Likely
 To Be Altered

bEfNLlN, MdV O.-Ine dermdn gov ernment, as far as it is able with Chancellor Cuno absent from the .capital. is already determined to strive for further negotiations with the allies on the matter of repara- tions, despite word that France is about to scuttle the latest German proposition.
 Chancellor Cuno is returning here Monday to study the French answer, the outlines of which already are known. He probably will deliver very important speech in the Reich stag Friday, stating the Berlin gov ernment's position in the light ef re- l cent events.
 Favor Ditching Subject.
 One group within the government now favors the ditching of the whole reparations talk and continuing pas sive resistance in the Ruhr to an even stronger degree than previously, but 1t Is understood that this group is in the minority and there is good prospect that the majority, which in- sists that something still further must be dine to adjust the matter of reparations, will retain the upper hand.
 It is conceivable that the next few days will witness a great cloud of | "unacceptables" as well as i've must | fight on," but the saner elements, realizing that outside forces are act ing secretly and perhaps rather more favorably to Germany than heretofore. say negotiations must be achieved if humanly possible.
 It is known that Germany has been receiving outside diplt matic advice to tone down the passive resistance campaign 70 save her face. Appar- ently Germany could order some of the passive resistance ordinances perad urifb mil .-it hnn going the whole way of absolutely canceling them. At any rate, such hints are being given in diplomatic quarters; whether or not they are needed remains to be seen, but there is every reason to believe that Ger many will not saw off the limb" just yet.
 Better Offer Possible.
 Although members of the govern ment publicly suggest that they have gone the limit in offering the allies 3o.ooo, 100000 marks in cash as a | separations figure, there is reason to believe that this is not quite the fact. Germany hitherto has made several utmost offers, but it was found later that she could alter them In fact, it is generally accepted here that the 30,000,000 900 figure was a sort of bargaining point. l. is believed that the adherents of Dr. Hugo Stresseman, who is still mentioned in some quarters as a pos- sible new chRlcellor. will force the to the Regarding guarantees and it ported that there is a tacit agl ent whereby the govern ment i've first mortgage on lands d Drm of guarantees. If this Is ti stressemannites want the gov t to say so frankly al- guarantess,~6ore clearly deiineated so that Germany cannot be re- preached as suggesting only half hearted measures.
 May Bridge Difficulty.
 The most difficult thing from a diplomatic standpoint would be the climbing down from the concerted policy of passive resistance. If this is surrendered before actual and suc- cessful negotiations are assured, there will be internal strife and a pro bable serious outburst, according to the general view of members of the German government, but there is a disposition to carry on" in any event. Hence. this difficulty may be bridged.
 Preliminary forecasts of the French note of rejection assert that the Paris government turns down the offer of s0.0o0, 900. 900 gold marks of- fer on four counts:
 1. There shall he no negotiations regarding separations or anything else as long as passive resistance" Is maintained in the Ruhr and Rhine land.
 2. Progressive evacuation, timed in accord with German payments, is the only way in which the French and Belgians will get out of the newly oc- cupied areas.
 3. The only basis of negotiations. if there are to be negotiations, is the plan approved by France and Bel gium at London.
 1. France wants practical eecur. ities." not peace pact.