The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-06-26
8 Proposals
Laid Down
by France
Would Internationalize Rhine
Railroads and Ruhr Mines,
Revenues to Go Toward
Reparations.
Deadlock Is Continuing
BY MARK SULLIVAN.

passed In an effort to determine
whether the French and British are
going to act together in taking the
next step in regard to reparations,
or, alternatively, whether France is
going to take one course, with Brit
ain, supported by Italy and possibly
by Belgium, turning to some other
course.
The almost universal assumption
has been that the precise matter at
issue between France and Britain
during the past week Is whether
France is going to insist that there
be cessation of passive resistance on
the part of Germany before France
Dnnsents even to discuss with Britain
? the question Of whether or not there
shall be a joint reply to the last
German note This assumption is far
short of the facts.
1t is true that France, Immediately
following the German note, notified
Britain of her intention to insist up
on cessation of passive resistance as
precedent condition, and that Brit
ain in reply asked France to define
exactly what she meant by cessation
France is at this moment engaged
in ANSWERING. but this is only frac-
ton of what is now being settled, or
attempting to be settled, between
France and Britain.
Other Conditions Made.
France has also made many other
conditions. covering practically all de-
to3t - mt
Among these conditions and proposals
laid down by France, which are now
in process of negotiation with Brit
ain. are:
That the Rhineland railways shall
be turned over to an international
company, which shall devote the
revenues to reparations.
That certain mines in the Ruhr
shall be handled in the same way.
That customs revenues in the oc-
cuplee territory shall be admins
tered by France and Belgium un-
ku-Sa the reparations are completely
paid.
That all German customs shall
be paid in gold, and that a fixed
percentage of them shall be applied
to reparations.
That France shall have her per-
centage of reparations out of the
A and B bonds.
That the proceeds from the ex-
port OF certain limited classes of
commodities from Germany shall
be applied to reparations.
AS to some of these conditions
Britain does not agree. and as to all
of them Britain has asked more de.
taf}s~ and more Qualification in the
shape of definition. 1t Is obvious that
II France and Britain can come to
a meeting of midns of these points,
the ground will have been laid for
settlement of the whole reparations
problem.
Ruin Germany, Aim.
The question that besets every close
observer, however, is whether France
really wants to make progress toward
settling reparations. Certainly she
shows less eagerness in ths direction
than Britain or even than Belgium
or Italy. In many quarters France
is charged with wanting, not a set
tlement which will lead to payment
OF reparations. but continuation Of an
unsettlement which will possibly end
in breaking up Germany.
OF course. such blowup would
mean that France would get no rep
arations whatever, and this would re-
suit In the French francs going at
least portion Of the way toward
the German mark. and in other
serious economic consequences to
DIT gnrf Of a
debacle Is not easily visulized in ad-
vance by the man in the street.
We should know soon whether
|. France Is going to agree with Britain
A--on a program looking to a settlement
Hgpayment or reparations. IL they
agree the next step would be Joint
note to Germany, followed possibly
by a general conference of the allies,
in the shape, perhaps, Of actually
holding the long postponed Brussels
conference.
Germany Near Crisis.
But II France and Britain do not
agree, but come to mutually ad
mitted deadlock, then the stage will
be set for n new and strikingly diff
ference phase Of history in modern
Europe. In the meantime "A third
factor, namely, the internal state OF
Germany, approaches crisis.
Up to the present, for reasons In
herent in the nature of initiation, the
German industrial magnates have
been enriched by the depreciation OF
the mark and have eben able 10 keeT
their workmen satisfied. Now. how
ever. the cream Ii out OF deprecia
tIon and the end of the joyride has
been reached, with condition which
will bear down with heavy suffering
on the working population.
Nevertheless, the best Informed
people believe that the dociiity and
discipline of the German people fore
stall az yet any imminent danger oi
n countrywide explosion.