Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-06

to some speculation in view of. as
sertions In France that the French
government would be willing to con-
cur In an unlimited inquiry into
Germany's capacity to pay, provided
the question of inter- allied debts was
to be discussed. Speculation of this
nature was characterized as "al-
together wild" in responsible quar-
tiers. 1t was reiterated authoria lively
that the Washington government had
not changed its view that the repara-
uons question and that of the inter
allied debts were in no way related
and should not be joined in the pro-
posed conference concerning Ger
many's economic capacity.
In empha sizing the American
viewpoint that the experts must be
Tree to examine impartially every
TACT and economic condition under
lying Germanys capacity for indus
trial productivity, the governments
spokesman pointed out that repara-
ions payments were not being re-
ceiVed from Germany by the allies,
nor was there any present or future
prospect that they would sbe forth
coming.
In this connection, it was added,
the United States government has
under consideration, as disclosed re-
Gently by a White House spokesman.
the probability that the American
people will be called upon to finance,
as matter of charity. efforts to pre-
vent widespread starvation in Ger
many.
In view of this authorized state
ment, the possibility that the confer
ence between the three secretaries
had to do with the feeding famine
stricken portions of Germany during
the coming months suggested itself,
altnoughSthere was no official or I'M
oHcial indication given as to wha
subjects were taken up, beyond the
nat statement that allied debts were
not mentioned.
since an impasse appears to have
been reached, at least temporarily.
In the negotiations between London
and Paris for allied unity, it occur
req TO some observers in Washington
mat Secretary Hughes language in
MS aide memoire addressed to Lord
Curzon might have new significance
SO 1ar as its reference to a confer
ence in which all the allied powers
10 not JOIN was concerned.
In that connection, the secretary
informed Lord Curzon that the
w "SAi '9 eoA governments nolu 'lne
view that the questions involved can
not be finally settled without the
concurrence of the European govern
ments directly concerned" and add
ed that decision must be reserved as
to the course the United States
would take should 1t be invited to
cooperate in conference at which
there would be vacant chairs.
Washington officials would not dis
close II detail information that has
reached them relative to the nego-
tiations between London and Paris
and other allied capitals. There was
strong indication, however, that
the Belgian formula. put forward as
substitute for the French limitation
program and approved by Great Bri-
tain and Italy, also would be found
acceptable to the United States
Whether the specific language of the
Belgian proposal was communicated
to Washington officially is not known.
The stress laid in administration
circles on the accord reached by the
three powers, however, was general
ly interpreted as indicating Ameri-
can concurrence in the suggestions
advanced by the Brussels govern
ment.