Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-11
LLOYD GEORGE talk
EMBARRASSING To
REPUBLICAN, PARTY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)

Ueased Wire Service TO The Journal.)
Copyright. 1921
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10.-Former
Premier Lloyd Georges suggestion
that the time is ripe for an accept
ance OF the Hughes plan to form q
commission to study the reparatlons
question is occasioning some uneasi-
ness among those who constitute the
"irreconcilable" group in American
politics.
Never has there been time with
the possible exception of the first
mention of the world court issue
when the prospect of dragging for
eign policy into. the campaign was as
little desired by the leaders of the
Republican party, who sincerely want
unity instead of discord. While Sec
rotary Hughes did not propose any
thing that commits the United States
government to IAN involvement in
entangling alliances his plan even
at this date is looked upon by the
'irreconcilables" as step toward
greater participation in European af-
fairs, and they don't want America
to indulge even in unofficial con-
ferences.
johnson Waits Chance
Out in California, Senator Hiram
Johnson is waiting his chance to
make an issue of foreign policy if the
Coolidge administration makes any
gesture toward Europe. Mr.. John
son has plenty of other things no
doubt of a domestic character on
which he could base a campaign, but
his fieht from the beginning has
been against agreements of any kind
with Europe, and on that platform
he may be seen campaigning again
unless the administration adopts
strictly hands-off policy.
Secretary Hughes made his SUI ges-
ton about an informal commission
of inquiry as early as last December,
and about the only thing that Mr..
Coolidge has divulged on foreign pol
Icy has been an expression which
indicated that the Hughes speech
still remained the policy of the
United States government.
In that speech, Mr.. Hughes laid
down the proposition that unofficial
persons representing each country
but not necessarily each govern
ment could sign and estimate the
capacity of Germany to pay and the
possibilities of extending credit to
Germany when once a satisfactory
settlement is reached.
No Commitments
No government was to be com
mitted to an acceptance of the plan
but was to have the right to ap-
prove or disapprove the findings ana
to act upon o rignore the report
made.
The theory back of this plan was
that once the representatives of all
concerned did get into conference
with the sincere purpose of reaching
a. settlement, an adjustment was in
evitable Mr.. Hughes hoped at the
time to avert an invasion of the
Ruhr but Premier Poincare was so
intent upon making that move that
the Hughes proposal was for diplo-
matte reasons construed by the
French government as an informal
and unofficial proposal and France
Is theref3"e in the position of be-
ing able to accept the proposition If
she desires.
With the ending of passive resist
ance the general belief was that
direct settlement between France
and Grmany was forthcoming. But
the disturbed condition of affairs in
SIDE Germany has revived the idea
that the cooperation Of the German
people and the consolidation of po-
litical elements in Germany will not
be brought about until some sign Of
stability appears from the outside to
instill confidence.
Loan Inevitable
The fact that an international loan
unquestionably would come out of
the proceedings of an international
commission such as Mr.. Hughes pro-
posed would have a powerful effect
on economic conditions in Germany.
Bankers and business men are hope
full that an economic settlement can
yet be made and that's why the
comment of Mr.. LIoyd~George that
1t is still time to act on the Hughes
plans is regarded here as a signifi-
can't boost for the Hughes proposal
back Of which it is known British
and German governments are ready
to stand.
1t is pertinent to note that treas
ury officials in denying rumors of
unemployment and pessimistic re.
ports about future business 'condi-
tons do not fail to conclude the pos
slble adverse effect which European
conditions may have on American
markets. Farm organizations are
beginning to take an interest in i'm
proving Europe's purchasing power
so that a fight for cooperation with
Europe might see a different lineup
than that which developed over the
League Of Nations or world court
issues. 1t seems almost certain tnat
the group which favored an interna-
tlonal economic conference a wear
ago wills be found supporting the
Hughes plan for a commission of in.
curry into the reparations problem.
should support develop it would not
De surprising if further inquiries
were made Of