The Washington times., 1923-02-21
COMM j NISTS
GAINING IN
RUHR
Reported to Be Organizing for
Resistance as French Add
to Repressive Measures.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

OonClnue0 from First Page1
States, but have given up hope that
such action can be expected. In the
meantime Great Britain will "sit
tight and pursue her policy Of watch.
full waiting"
Elm semi-officiaI circles it was
learned that certain financiers would
like 70 intervene in the Ruhr to save
pean business and industry
collapse, but they will under.
- no move without government
Aport.
;isome of the highest officials OF the.
Administration that the next thirty
days will see definite break in
the tense situation that has envel-
oped all Europe since France occu-
pied the Ruhr-with a possibility of
British and American good offices
being called upon to effect a new
understanding on the controversial
reparations question.
This was revealed here today with
the announcement that plans for
Secretary of State Hughes to attend
the fifth Pan-American conference
at Santiago have virtually been
abandoned. Hughes probably will
remain at his desk in the State De.
partment.
The South American trip con-
templNted by Secretary Hughes,
plans for which already had been
largely completed, would consume
six weeks.
After a number of conferences
between President Harding and Sec.
rotary Hughes, at which the latest
reports from American observers
abroad were discussed in some de-
tail, it has practically been decided
that the Secretary of State should
forego this trip. The European
situation is considered too deli
cate" and the opportunities of
American "helpfulness" too imminent
to permit Hughes to be absent from
Washington that length of time.
Despite the clamor of both Paris
and Berlin, administration officials
believe the Franco German situation
has reached a stalemate, in which
neither side can hope to emerge
with a clear-cut victory, either po-
litical or economic. France has
the upper hand at the moment,
but at the political cost of alienat-
ing both British and American
opinion, and at the economic cost
reparations from Germany in the
five weeks she has occupied the
Ruhr than she formerly obtained in
| one day.
American observers in Germany
have reported to the Government
there is little hope of breaking down
| utterly Germany's resistance to
French measures. American obserV.
ers in France have likewise assured
the State Department there is little
| likelihood of France admitting de-
| feat.
Consequently, in the opinion of
! Administration officials. it Is only a
question of time until this situation
already recognized in Washington
and London-is also recognized in
Paris and Berlin They are in
clined to the opinion that it will
come within six weeks.
Veering to "HugIfes' Plan"
Sooner or later, also, the belief
persists that the situation will veer
back to 1.-The Hughes proposal for
a commission of economic experts TO
survey the whole reparations situa-
ton. When that time comes, the
| Administration wishes to be in a
| position to act in accordance with
this proposal.
The meeting between Premier
Poincare and Premier Theunis of
Belgium, shortly to take place in
Paris. may be productive of lin
portant results it was said today
in official quarters. The Belgian
premier. while supporting the French
policy, is nevertheless seriously con-
cerned over the collepse of the en-.
tente with Great Britain.
Meanwhile, there is substantial
accord between the British and
American Governments as to Ruhr
policy. Buth will continue to hold
aloof until the time comes that in
prevention may be welcomed. And
that time, in the belief of Admins.
tration officials, is rapidly ap.
preaching.