Evening star., 1923-01-04

would lend themselves to arbitration
by an outside power
A few days ago there was hope that
the Hughes proposal for an interna-
tional commission of experts to deter
mine how much in the way of indemni-
ties Germany can pay might be made
use of TO prevent a complete breakdown
at Paris, but 1t is recognized that the
Hughes plan has been robbed Of much
of its value by subsequent develop
ments.
Since the French and British repa-
rattons programs were submitted
there no longer is any great diff
ference Of opinion between them as
to. how much 1t is possible for Ger
many to pay. Both now are agreed
upon approximately $4,000, 100000
gold marks as the primary charge
against Germany.
Real Stumbling Block.
This is the equivalent of about
$4,000. 100000, close to the amount
which unprejudiced financiers and
economists have figured Germany can
pay and probably not far from the
amount which would be fixed by an
international commission of experts.
France and Great Britain being in
approximate agreement therefore.
f1xation of the sums to be demanded
reparations problem.
The real stumbling block at Paris
seems to be in the matter of guaran-
ties and the tying up of reparations
with the question of interallied debts,
something which this government has
always consistently opposed. The
Hughes plan did not contemplate that
the, proposed international commits
sion would attempt to adjust debts TO
reparations nor would it be expected
settle form NJ n RI he
exacted in return for a moratorium.
For these reasons there is not now
any strong expectation that the
United States will be asked to name
members of such commission.
Conferences Yesterday.
Col. Harvey was in continual confer
ences yesterday with President Harding
and Secretary Of State Hughes.
The American ambassador spent the
entire morning and most of the after
noon closeted with President Harding
at the White House and at 4 o'clock
he called at the State Department to
pay his respects to Secretary Hughes
His visit there was regarded as one
Of courtesy rather than for the pur-
pose Of discussing international prob
lens. although he said before enter
ing the Secretary's Office that he was
in Washington to make his report"
to his chiefs.
Calls ON Hughes.
There is nothing ! can say now"
Col. Harvey told newspaper men as
he left the White House en- route to
the Department of State. Secretary
Hughes will do all of my talking for
me now, Later. perhaps, there will
be something to say. but not now.
My call on Secretary Hughes this
afternoon will be formal-to paying
respects and to make my report I am
just here to report. you know"
1t is believed, however, that the
Secretary of State and the ambassa-
dor touched upon the international
situation only briefly, if at all. and
that they will consider matters of
state more fully in conference with
President Harding at the White
House later in the week.
Col. Harvey has been with the
President almost constantly since
last night, when he arrived in Wash
ington with Maj. o. y. Selbert, mill
tary attache at the American embassy
in London, and Chandler Cobb, as
sistant commercial attache.
He went Immediately to the White
House. where he is to be a guest
during his stay in Washington, while
his attaches registered at a local
an hour and half to callers today,
leaving his calendar virtually clear
for his talks with the ambassador
They had breakfast and lunch to-
gether and 1t was close to o'clock
before Col. Harvey left to take a
short, spin through the city before
calling at the Department of State.