The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-08-24

7 ACKING at this writing an official
IL statement of Frances intentions,
one can make close guess by reading
the inspired articles in the semi
official newspapers of Paris. These
are thus summarized by correspond
emit:
First, the French openly fiirt with
Germany toward direct negotiations
for solution of the PREPARATIONS ques-
ton, with the exclusion of Great Brit
ain or any other troublesome power.
Second, the French tell the British
and the Americans, too-in SO many
words, that the only time they will pay
their war debts due Is after Germany
pays for the reconstruction Of the war
devastations and pays in addition the
amounts due from France to London
and Washington.
Third, repulsing the Curzon sugges7
ton to refer the Ruhr occupation to
the world court, the French intimate
that they might ask The Hague to de-
eide whether the Versailles treaty pro
vides that all PREPARATIONS must be paid
before the interallied debts are recov-
cred and whether President Wilson's
IA points provide that the allies pen
sions are among the obligations which
Germany must assume.
If all eonciliatory plans fail. Pre-
mier Poincare will continue the occu-
patton of the Ruhr with increased
vigor and IL necessary will seize the
valley Of the Main with Frankfort
and other cities in that rich region.
This would practically cut Germany
in two.
FOREIGN MINISTER CURZON'S
T note to France and Belgium, which
possibly brought the Franco-British
entente to an end, said Great Britain
was tired of diplomatic exchanges and
wanted immediate action; that she be-
lieved the occupation Of the Ruhr to
be illegal and would submit that ques-
ton to the world court; and that
France must repay to Great Britain
enough Of the money lent her to en-
able Britain, with what she may re-
ceive from Germany, to pay her debt
to the United States. The note con-
cluded with definite threat to take
action for separate settlement with
Germany.
France is insulted by Curzon's
clauses on the interallied debts, assert
ing that she never had the slightest
intention Of repudiating her debts to
England and America. She points
out that the Ruhr occupation was first
suggested by England less than two
years ago, was justified by Sir Robert
Horne in the house of commons Dc
tober 20, 1920, and was authorized
by the reparations commission by a
vote Of three to one.
Regarding the allies debts, the
Journal DIES Debats points out that
Great Britain wants only 100000
600 gold marks ($3,50O,000,O00) to
pay the United States. and as she is
entitled to % per cent of the 50,000,-
100000 gold marks ($12,500, O00 OOO)
A and B series bonds, this leaves a
balance of only 3,O00,O00,0OO gold
marks ($750,OOO,0O0), land there is
certainly some means to arrange that.
about which we can talk later"
DRESIDENT COOLIDGE and his
cabinet met Tuesday and dis
cussed many Of the important ques-
lions confronting them. 1t was then
announced from the White House
again that the Presidents policies
would be the same as those Of Pres
ident Harding, and his views on vari-
GUS questions were given in more de
tail. Summarizing some Of these, 1t
is stated that the administration
stands ready to cooperate with Eu-
rope in working out solution Of the
reparations question, If it can do so
without involving the United States,
but It has no concrete proposal to
make at this time; that it will pro-
coed with efforts to collect the debts
owed America by foreign govern
ments; that the President and secre-
tary of agriculture are sympathetical-
ly studying many suggestions for leg
islation to help the farmer; that the
determination of the administration
to enforce strictest economy cannot
be stated too strongly and the budget
system will be scrupulously followed;
that the President favors the policy
Of admitting only the better class of
immigrants and will study plans sub
mitted by Secretary Of Labor Davis.
Mr.. Coolidge sees no need now for an
extra session of congress.
ONFIDENCE and decision have
~ taken the place of the former APP
parent shyness of President Coolidge.
and Washington ofiicialdoin is pleased