The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-07
COOLIDGE STUDIES. PO|NCARE'S STAND
Door Still Open For American Aid In European ECo-
 homie Conference

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-Availabil- ity of American helpfulness in the European economic crisis apparently hinged tonight upon detailed explana- tions of the Pofncare restrictions on the proposed expert inquiry into the reparations tangle. Up to this time, it was learned authoritatively the Washington government has not been able to learn exactly what the French premier had in mind in proposing to confine the inquiry tC Germany's present" capacity to make repara- tions payments.
 Conversations between President Coolidge and Ambassador Jusserand today and between the French am bassador and Secretary Hughes yes terday, it is known, turned almost wholly upon the effort to determine 6 exact nature of the French re- striction. As it has been translated in London, the French phrase reads: Capacity tC pay at present and for limited future period"
 It was evident today that the am- bassador had been unable to amplify this sufficiently and has cabled his government for a detailed explana- tion for which government officials here are waiting with deep interest.
 O o O
 Door Still Open.
 In view of this view this situation, it was stated emphatically, that, re- ports that the negotiations had met a deadlock were wholly without foundation. Administration officials on the contrary, regard the door as still open to American cooperation in the search for a solution of the reparatitns problem, provided the al- lied powers desire such aid. After President Coolidge conference today vii h dnr Tftc nd U lasted nearly half an hour, White House spok kesman urged that the American public exercise patience.
 It was pointed out that Europe's present economic plight had historic back ground and was not to be rem of the utmost delicacy for the French government are involved. This is recognized in Washington, and al- though it is felt in administration circles that the economic situation is growing darker day by day and there Is every reason to avoid delay in get ting the experts to work, if the pow CTS can reach agreement on that course there is no disposition to with draw the offer of American co-opera- tion while there is any reasonable chance that the allies can find way to avail themselves of it.
 Because of the triangular nature of the negotiations, Washington off, ficials are unable to predict through just what channels the ultimate de- cision of the allied governments as to the form of the invitation to pc operation in the expert inquiry will become shown.
 l. was manifest today, however, that they were hopeful the informal conversations in Washington which are supplementing the formal diplo-
 %4ok and Paris and other allied capitals might prove helpful in the early de- termination of the language to be employed in the invitation. The Washington administration Is not in- clined to express in advance of a specific understanding as to just what is meant by the French restric- tions it's willingness to keep in any form of investigation except such as was outlined in Secretary Hughes answer to Lord Curzon. The language Of the British proposal to the all lied governments incorporates to an important degree the language used by Secretary Hughes in that com munication.
 Belgium Proposes Change.
 Verbal changes proposed by Bel gium and acceptable to Great Britain and Italy, do not in the American view alter the sense of the original proposal materially. The French pro- posals fer restrictions, however. are looked upon as possibly lnvoivlng radical limitation which would alter completely the nature of the inquiry
 The language of the French pro- posals is subject to various possible interpretations.
 A complete understanding of the limitations sought is rendered the more difficult owing to tho fact that the original test of the restrictions is in the French language and varia- lions In translation are possible as there are many English equivalent not precisely similar in meaning, Tor some French expressions ana Worus.
 Tn the conference with Ambassador Jusserand there is no doubt that all of these shadings or meanings have heen discussed It has also been dis closed officially that the ambassador received from President Cooldge a restatment of the American attitude which already had been disclosed 10 him by Secretary Hughes.
 It was on the basis of his confer- ence with MT. Hughes that the ann bassador formulated the inquiry that he addressed to Paris and 1t IS hoped by officials here that the reply will show that the American view and tbat of the French authorities are not so far apart as it has been feared in some quarter.
 Look To Famine.
 While further developments ap- parently awaited the formulation and receipts of this French reply so far as final decision on the expert com nnittee plan is involved government officials have geen giving further consideration to the possible scope of American aid in the shadowed famine crisis in at least parts of Ger C< nf many has convinced President Cool idge that aid must be forthcoming during the winter and until the next German crops can be harvested. 50 far as has been disclosed, however no definite plans for making Ameri- can surplus food stufrs availapie na's yet taken shape.
 The food situation in Germany while not intimately related to the plan for an expert inquiry into the reparations problem, serves to em, phasize in American eyes the need for as little delay as possiple amons the allies in reaching decision on the course they will take.
 It served also, to some extent, to move the Washington government to the informal efforts it is making to bring about an agreement abroad. It is emphasized by all responsible spokesmen for the Coolidge adminis- tration, however, that there has been no departure from the fixed policy of avoiding any participation in Europes political affairs.
 In that connection the difficulty Tn Washington of grasping the exact meaning of some of the French re- strictions becomes apparent.
 Want. To Except Ruhr.
 Premier Poincare has proposed in substance, for instance, that the ex- perts should be restrained from any consideration of French military oc- cupation of the Ruhr. The Washing ton government is quite willing to