Evening star., 1923-11-10

broad and comprehensive plans for
economic rehabilitation of Germany
ana adequate payments by Germany
on reparations accounts
The conversations az the State De-
partment ended late yesterday. when
ambassador Jusserand called with
advices from his government. which
reached him While Mr.. Coolidge and
fhs f;ar canlnet a., net were discussing the situa-
tlons from Paris. Yesterdays. mes
sage showed no modification of the
french attitude, and added nothing
new to the situation. Secretarv
Hughes, before receiving the ambas-
sador. made a second visit to the
White House for a brief conference
with the President in preparation for
presenting American decision.
The exchanges between Secretary
hughes aaa and Ambassador Jusserand
ment of the limitations on the ex-
pert inquiry desired by the French
government.
With respect to the stipulation
made In Paris that the experts
should not discuss the occupation Of
the Ruhr, the ambassador explained
that this would mean in the French
View that the experts could examine
al questions as to the resources of
the Ruhr. the value of Industrial es-
'er Of the region. France could not,
however, discuss the legality of the
French occupation, the system of
collecting of taxes in the Ruhr region
imposed by the French occupying
forces. the guarantees seized by
french troops or the agreement re-
Gently reached between the French
authorities and the German industri-
alists of the Ruhr.,
On the question of the exact mean
OF 1lo<
ent capacity" to which the experts
would have been limited in studying
eierman resources which might yield
the means, Of payment of reparation,
the ambassador explained that this
could be interpreted as meaning the
survey of the situation up to and in
Guiding the year 1880.
Both the 1880 deadline and the re-
strictions that would have been i'm
posed by the Ruhr stipulation were
given general consideration by Secre-
tary Hughes in formulating his an
sWer. The 1880 proposal in itself,
however. was regarded by the Amer
lean government. as foreclosing the
hensive study of the situation and the
formulation of far-reaching financial
plans to avoid economic disaster in
Europe. To prevent such a. disaster
was the only object sought In proffer-
Ing the help Of competent American
experts in an effort to solve the repa-
rations tangle. 2.
1t was explained to the French Dip
1omat that the period up to 1880
would have to be largely devoted to
the very beginning Of any plan suffi-
ciently broad to give reasonable
promise of an economic restoration in
Germany at some future date. There
was no reasonable hope from the
was advised. that any substantial
payments toward, settlement of the
reparations obligations Of Germany
could accrue from any increase of
German productivity that possibly
could be brought about within the
seven-year limit.
1t was reiterated that the Washing
ton government had made its original
suggestions for an expert inquiry a
ihs ag an
ence in spirit Of friendship to all of
the allied countries and for the sole
purpose of finding some means to
make available American helpfulness
France has found 1t impossible to ac-
cept the proffer of American aid, al
though her allies, Great Britain, Italy
and Belgium, have indicated their de-
sire to take steps to that end, has
not changed the desire of the govern
ment here to be helpful whenever an
appropriate time for extending that
helpfulness presents itself.
For that reason officials refused to
do, more than explain in detail what
had Stranspired in the conversations
between the secretary and the ambas-
sador, and make clear the views of
the United States in the circum-
stances. They would not accept any
suggestion that the door to American
helpfulness had been closed. but at
the same time they would not deal
in speculation OF any character as to
what the future might hold.