Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-02
BONAR LAW WOULD
REDUCE INDEMNITY
AND STOP WRANGLE
Expects to Propose to Con-
ference in Paris That Ger
many Be Granted Morato-
rum to Stabilize Finances

HULL W OldUillLG l llldli0Co
LONDON, Jan. 1.-By the Asso-
ciated Press.)-Since the adjourn
ment of the allied premiers' meeting
here December II in order to avoid
an open break between Great Brit
ain and France on reparations, there
has been flood of rumors and re-
ports concerning the solution of the
deadlock that Prime Minister Bonar
Law was likely to propose when the
allied representatives resumed their
discussions in Paris.
Only Saturday, however, was an au-
thoritative statement forthcoming
from official circles. This was to
the effect that the British premier
would go to Paris this week, armed
with a new plan for final and com
plete settlement of the question of
Germany's war obligations.
Immediately after the London
breakdown, Downing streets hopes
were that the French attitude would
change, but the last fortnight has
shown the trend of French official
opinion to be away from, instead of
toward the British, with the result
that Mr.. Bonar Law yesterday pre- .
scented to his cabinet plan which
it is stated comprises the utmost
limit of British concessions.
Britain's New Plan
In it's broad principles, the plan
is said to be as follows:
First. Any reparations program
agreed on in Paris must be final
one which will put definite end
to the wrangling of the last three
years and give an opportunity for
the general economic reconstruc-
ton of Eurepe. ssessszs z q
+ Second. A moratorium for Ger
many is essential for period. OF
from two to four years in which time
Germany must balance her budget
stabilize the mark and undergo gen
supervision but not under allied re-
ownership.
| Third-Reduction of the repara-
tons total to approximately 2,500,-
100000 pounds, which, if not forth
coming after Germany is given a
! fair chance to make good her obli-
cations, will be obtained by an as
cending scale of economic penalties.
! British official circles discount re-
ports from Paris that the French
| have formed definite, Interchangeable
plans to be enforced against the Ger
( mans beginning January Is.
| 1t is stated that Premier Poincare
is likely to be surprised to find Mr..
Bonar Law in full sympathy with
! him against the German tactics of
evasion and non-fulfillment of
pledges, the only differences being in
the method of obtaining payments,
| the British remaining unconvinced
| that the French plans for control
! of the German sources of production
will result in anything but social and
economic upheavals in the districts
| taken over.
Britains Alternative
The British debt funding commits
! sion is not expected to obtain def
mite results which could possibly
have beneficial effect on the Paris
negotiations by January Is. when
| the temporary moratorium for Ger
many ends and the original repara-
tons schedule of 1921, involving the
payment of 10O,O00,OOO pounds an
nually, is again effective, not men
tioning the overdue payments which
would bring Germany's present in
debtedness to Great Britain alone to
total of 1873 100000 pounds.
| Should no agreement be reached
by January IS, and should Premier
Poincare order his troops to escort
French customs officials and engi-
neers into the Ruhr district, Great
! Britain would not be likely to pro-
test, but, it is thought, would re-
tire to the position of isolation she
| occupied century ago and prepare
as best she could to combat the
chaotic economic conditions on the
| continent which she believes. would
follow any coercive action against
Germany. ..l
At the same time British officials
are as insistent as the French that
the entente will not be endangered,
for it is stated that two govern
ments realize that the bonds which
hold their peoples together are not
based upon the technicalities of rep
arations but upon their common
suffering in the common cause dur.
ing the great war.
Polish Presidents