Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-06
sIDEsTEPs
(Continued from Pace ~

to authorize official American rep
resentation on the reparations COM
mission was before the foreign re-
lations committee, but action, and
even debate, was deferred until
Chairman Lodge could confer with
Secretary Hughes and obtain official
word as to the desires of the admin
istration on the proposal. He is ex-
pectcd to see the secretary tomorrow
morning and report back to his
committee.
Direct comment on the Robinson
proposal is withheld, both at the
White House and at the State De.
partment. At the White House, how
ever. the significant statement was
made that the question of represent
alton on the reparations commission
had ceased to be of pressing import
ance, in view of developments in
Paris. 1t was indicated that the view
taken by administration officials is
that the rupture at Paris on repara-
tons plans has dislocated the whole
relation of the commission to the
problem as that relationship was
planned in the treaty Of Versailles
Presumably, that will be the view
expressed to Senator Lodge by Sec
rotary Hughes.
1t is Il curious side light on the
American angle on the reparations
crisis that President Harding and
his cabinet did not find anything in
the situation for joint consideration
when they met today. The subject
was not taken up. That fact alone
is interpreted as clearly outlining the
waiting attitude in which the WASH
ington government finds itself, with
all initiative for new efforts at a
settlement resting in the hands of
European statesmen. There is no
effort. however. to disguise the
grave concern with which the Eu-
ropean tangle is viewed in WASH
ington.
1t was explained officially at the
State Department that there is no
basis upon which the Washington
government can rest a formal pro-
posal of any character to the Allies
at this juhcture. The problem is
theirs deeply rs it may affect Amcri-
can interests. present or future. Con-
troll of the situation is in their hands
and the United States cannot pro-
perry and with any hope of accom-
pllshing good. do more than it has
done in making a suggestion as to
ways and means by which it believes
the European governments can find
a way to agreement and also to
American economic aid in world re-
cuperation.
1t is now clear that Secretary
HUGHES made his suggestions in the
way he did and also selected the time
for his utterance aftes most careful
weighing of the possible effect of
what he would say. 1t was desired
to avoid any possible impression that
America was seeking to force its
views upon the Allies.
1t also was Mr.. Hughes purpose
to emphasize in every way the
wholly friendly object Of his hint,
particularly to Franco for there is
no lack OF understanding in Wash
lngton of the peculiar difficulties of
French statement or Of the trend Of
French public opinion
1t would be going much too far
to say that President Harding and
his advisers are without hope that 4
way out of the tanglc will be dis
closed before drastic action is taken
by the French; yet there appears to
be no definite grounds for their
hopes so far as was learned today.
There is still time, however, if France
concludes that some such course as
Mr. Hughes suggested would be
wise one to pursue.
Ambassador Jusscr2nd was among
Secretary Hughes callers late today.
Presumably, he went to the State De-
partment under the instructions
cablcd by Premier Poincare to am
pllfy the statement he had already
made or Frances reason for re-
JcctinS the German proposal for
one generation peace pact among the
powers directly interested in the
Rhine problcm There was no word
either from the embassy, or from
the department. however, as to the
nature and purport of the visit
Before the ambassador called, Nj
Hughes had spent considerable ti-.,
In conference with Amha-~., -. IIa--
vaT.