Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-07
Skeptical Over. Accept
ability of New Pro-
pOsal-BrusselS Meet
Provides for Alter
native Course in
Event England Not
Agreed on Terms Of
Reply to Germans

Brussels, June G-(By A. PA
solid and united allied front by
France, Belgium, Great Britain and
Italy on the question of German
Preparations, with France and Bel
GUM agreed on policy with regard
to the Ruhr, appears to be forecast in .
consequence of a meeting here today
between Premier Poincare Of France
and Premier Theunis and Foreign
Minister Jaspar Of Belgium.
A striking feature of the session,
according to both the Frcr' and
Belgiums was that way was left
open for Stanley Baldwin, the Brit
isl: Prime Minister, to propose a solu-
ton should it prove impossible to arr
range joint allied reply to new pro-
posals Germany is expected to make
almost Immediately on the question
of reparations.
The French expressed willingness
to meet any reasonable German plan
H. spirit of Cancellation, and, aside
from insisting that payment from
Germany must be forthcoming be-
fore the French soldiers march out
OF the Ruhr, NJ. Poincare>declared he
was ready and willing to entertain
settlement suggestions from friendly
quarters. 1t is asserted that when the
French premier made this statement
Mr.. Baldwin was particularly in his
mind.
The French. with the Belgians sup
Lcrting their view. still held out for a
cessation of German passive resist
ance as an infleXible requirement be-
fore Germany's new offer is exam-
ined; but NJ. Poincare's attitude on
the whole never the less is construed
here as decidedly less uncompromis-
| ing than here tofore. The two allies,
France and Belgium, again at today's
meeting reaffirmed their decision to
, evacuate the Rutr only as Germany
has paid.
Grave fears had been voiced that
| the French and Belgian viewpoints
would prove irreconcilable, but after
private talk of more than an hour
| between NJ. Poincare and NJ. Theunis
ana NJ. Jaspar, which was considered
/ the most important feature OF the
| day, it was announced officially that
AN understanding has been reached"
The meeting of "the board Of direc.
! tors of the Ruhr Occupation Com
I rany, Limited" as the French pre-
mier described today's session, proved
to be n general discussion of tho
! Preparations question.
( The new German note, which some
/ thought might arrive in Brussels to.
Gay, failed to make it's appearance.
The premiers, however, were enabled
! to outline their eventual reply. The
! Belgians, while skeptical as to the
! acceptibility Of Germany's new pro-
| posal, expressed the opinion that the
| OFFER should be examined into and
answered. AS the note will be adj
! dressed to all the allies, the Belgians
were of the belief that it would afford
an opportunity to restore the allied
front by a joint reply. NJ. Poincare
assented to this.
| The plans agreed upon by the con-
| tcrees to increase the effectiveness
| OF the Ruhr occupation as a producer
Oh returns. both in kind and in cash.
| included the creation Of an interna- :
| tlonal syndicate to exploit tobacco
anG alcohol monopolies in tie occu-
pied regions. This measure in the
belgian plans bears the notation
| must be submitted to Great Britain. -
! IL was accepted by NJ. De Lasteyrie.
! the French finance minister on behalf
Of NJ. Poincare.
| The Belgians feel that Great Brit.
am again has been made an active
party to the settlement of the repara :
| lions question owing to this refer
ehce 10 her for approval of provisions
accepted by the French.