San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-13
~ the Associated Press.

London, Aug. 13.-The British mole
to France and Belgium. in which the
Baldwin government saws it regards
the Ruhr occupation as illegal under
the Versailles treaty but is willing to
submit the point 10 arbitration, has
made a very deep impression here. For
the most part it is regarded as Gre
ating a new situation which may have
serious developments.
Even where one governments action
is approved, the plain spoken phrase
ology Of the note caused astonishment,
although that astonishment was
mingled with satisfaction that the gov
eminent used language which the com
mentators endorse.
The communication reiterates that
Great Britain is still determined that
Germany shall pay ito the maximum
of her capacity but asserts that
what that maximum may be should
be decided by an impartial inquiry.
For her own part, Britain would be
willing to abstain from German rep
Hrations and collect from the allied
debts sum sufficient TO meet hec
debt TO the United States.
Want Board of Inquiry.
The present situation in the Ruhr,
the note says. constitutes a grave pO-
litical and economic crisis. which is
having a noticeable effect on trade.
The communication declares that
Great Britain would be willing to
have. representatives of both the
United States and Germany on the
proposed board Of inquiry into Ger
man assets. The reparations commits
sion. being preponderantly Franco
Belgian. would hardly be competent
10 conduct such an investigation, the
note says.
When steps have thus been taken
10 ascertain the real value of the as
sets represented by German repaPa-
TONS" says the note. land TO secure
its realization without further depre-
citation. his majesty's government will
be ready TO deal as generously as cir.
cumstances permit, and. in the light
of their respective capacities TO pay
with the debts due to Great Britain
by her Allies.
"They cannot. having regard to
Great Britain's heavy material losses
during and since the war. and to fu.
ture tax burdens on its trade. admit
that other countries are justified in
claiming that the agreed percentages
Of reparations payments should now
be further modified or changed in the
order of priority.
But they remain prepared 10 ask
for no more in respect to the very
large sums due by their Allies than
will. together with the reparatiOns
payment by Germany. meet the war
debt to the United States government.
Their policy means that Great
Britain would be prepared TO waive
IN the interest of complete general
settlement a very large part of the
amount for which the British taxpay-
er holds the due obligations Of the Al
lied governments"
Cannot Delay Settlement.
"Great Britain, the note continues
is reluctant TO contemplate the possI-
bility that separate action may be re.
Quired in order to hasten a settlement
which cannot longer be delayed with.
out gravest consequences to a recov
cry OF trade and the peace Of the
world"
As to the legality Of the Ruhr oc
cupation, the note declares that tn,
British government has been informci
b. its most competent legal authorl
ties that the occupation is not author
lied under any sanction contained II
the Versailles treaty. However. Grea
Britain is willing that the treaty
legal Interpretation be referred to tn
international court of justice or L
other suitable arbitration. The peac
treaty. the note contends, authorize
only the occupation of the left BAN
of the Rhine and the bridgeheads. ]
adds that Great Britain cannot be
lieve the French and Belgian govern
ments will be able TO reconcile tn
opinion of the world TO an indefinit