Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-16
Without Authority
CONTINUED from Pace ~

understood that the Washington gov
eminent had no connection with any
project which has been laid before
the reparations commission. The
statement follows:
1.-THE department does not know to
what this dispatch refers. Neither
the secretary nor any one in behalf
of the department has approved any
plan for submission to the repara-
tions commission or has authorized
any such submission to the repara-
tons commission or has authorized
any such submission. The depart
ment is not attempting. directly. or
indirectly. to fix German reparations
or to prepare plans for the repara-
tions commission. Mr.. Boyden has
no instructions to present any plan
to the reparations commission"
Lacking some explanation from Mr..
Boyden that would clear up the mys-
terry, no comment beyond the official
statement was obtainable. There was
every indication, however, that Mr..
Boyden would be asked for such an
explanation as would clear the mat
ter up and show just what the pro-
position was he had in mind.
In some quarters there was specu-
AosOih 90 W "hCIllCA lhC oClllSIICAl
plan Mr.. Bpyden referred to might
not prove to be that which has been
discussed in American and other
business circles for an expert COM
mission to study German capacity to
make reparations payments.
The one thing that was apparently
made entirely clear by the State De-
partment was that the project not
only was not a renewal of the
Hughes suggestion to the Allied
government, but lacked official ap-
prOval here and was not to be re-
garded as due to the initiative of the
American government.
The mystery thus awaiting further
word from Mr.. Boyden to clear the
aid served to obscure to some ex-
tent the Washington view of the new
developments in Germany due to wild
ening of the French zone of occupa-
ton in the Ruhr. There is every
reason to believe, however, that Off
Gals are watching the course of the
French operations with gravest con-
Germ and that official advices contain
nothing that would furnish a more
hopeful outlook than is given in press
reports from Europe. 1t was stated
that the governments dispatches
tcuuSu W COllll III Tic SclcidI piSluAC
given by newspaper correspondents.
Official word of the French deter
mination to extend the occupation
was carried to the State Department
early in the day from the French
embassy. The embassy also made
a positive declaration that only white
in the movements into Germany.
Do 20
denis statement created an impression
that events were already shaping to-
ward recourse by the French authori-
ties to the Hughes proposals. fuller
report, however. coupled with the state
departments disclaimer. left the stu
alton as it had been in that respect,
unless it should be that the repara-
tions commission on it's own motion
is planning a course calculated to re-
store Anglo-French harmony as to the
methods to be followed.
Even in such an event the probable
ity of which is discounted in the Paris
dispatches. any severe clash between
the French troops and the German civil
population in the occupied areas might
prevent any amicable arrangement to
ease the situation. That such clashes
are the more probable with every in
crease of the French forces of occu-
patton goes without saying.
Paris. Jan. 15.-(By A. PIT
was definitely announced by one of
the highest authorities of the French
government tonight that the repara-
tions commission tomorrow morn
ing will take one of the most i'm
portant decisions. when the ques-
lions of Germany's refusal to make
any further deliveries in kind comes
up for discussion.
The commission by a majority Of
three, Great Britain abstaining. will
declare Germany in wilful default
on coal, wood and other deliveries
for the year 1923. This will open
the way for new policy of requisi-
ton. which France will Immediately
put into effect.
This was also announced by one
Of the highest officials who explained
that France would follow the plan
adopted by Germany during the war
in occupied France and give written
bonds on agreements to pay those
from whom requisitioned property is
taken. Payment will probably be
made with the millions of German
paper marks now held by the Bank
of France and the reparations COM
mission. ~
Pittsburg, Pa, Jan. 15-Harry
Greb. Pittsburg American light
heavyweight champion, forced the