The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-10
HO I REPLY
TOBRTTA|N
AIMED
U. S. Will Insist on Right to
Pro Rata Share in Ger
man Payments
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES,
international News Service.


Secretary Of State Hughes will
dispatch note to Great Britain in
q few days in which the British
government will be informed that
the. United States regards as en-
tirely untenable the British posi-.
ton that America should not share.
on q pro rata basis with other ma
tions in the money that Germany
pays through the Dawes plan to
meet her PREPARATIONS.
The note from Mr.. Hughes will
be in reply to the one received
from the British foreign office last
night, and which is described as "a
firm objection" to the United
States getting anything at all out
of the Dawes plan proceeds to ap-
ply on what Germany owes this
country. 1t is likely that the
American reply will meet firmness
with firmness.
Note Not Made Public.
For the time being, the State De-
partment declined today to make
public the British note. But from
authoritative sources, it was learned
that the tenor, of the American re-
ply will be a flat rejection of the
British position, and "a firm insist
ence upon Americas right to Iiqui-
date her claims against Germany
through the operations of the Dawes
plan, just as every nation is now
doing.
Other nations, party tn the repara-
tions controversy, France, Belgium,
and Italy, have recognized the JUS
tice and equity of the American posi-
ton, and Great Britain stands alone
in opposition. This fact has caused
considerable surprise in Washington.
and led to a wealth of speculation
as to what are the real motives
behind the British position.
The American claims against
Germany, that are in dispute, are
the claims tina now are being ad.
Indicated by tie German-American
Mixed Claims Commission. They
probably will aggregate 100000, 900.
Compared with the norm u $
amounts Germany is paying, this
sum is comparatively Insignificant,
and If spread over a long period Of
years, as this government is willing
1t should be, would affect none of
the allied payments to any con.
siderable degree.
Rhine Occupation No Factor.
The cost Of the American army's
occupation of the Rhine does not
enter into the present controversy,
as that was settled by the Wads.
worth agreement. 1t was observed
today. incidentally, that Britain took
much the same position in that
controversy, which ended in a
complete victory for the American
viewpoint.
The British position, roughly
summed up, Is that inasmuch as
the United States did not ratify the
Treaty of Versailles, the United
States has no right to share in the
moneys that are obtained from
Germany under that treaty.
The American reply to this is
that the allies have no right to
take all of Germany's assets,
figuratively milk the German COW
dry, and then let this government
whistle for its money. 1t takes,
too; even the more basic position
that the United States participated
equally with other nations in the
defeat Of Germany, and by that
fact established right in equity
and law to have a voice in the
distribution Of the fruits Of that
common victory, irrespective of
whether we did or did NOT sign any
treaty.
Signed BY Chamberlain.
One Of the principal points under.
stood to be raised in the British
note, which Ia signed by Austen
Chamberlain, the new British Min.
lister Of Foreign Affairs, 10 that the
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