Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-20
German Officials
Silent on Dispute
Gilbert and Luther

Berlin, Nov. 10 (By A. Peer
man official circles steadfastly de-
cline to comment on the controversy
precipitated by Agent General Gill
!: bert'S letter to Finance Minister Luz
Their in which the reparations official
Informed the German government of
his decision to bring the Question of
auditing and disbursing sums coll
lected on the tax recovery acts with
in the exclusive jurisdiction of the
transfer committee
The German press also has been
requested by the government to re-
frain from discussing the issue. there
being an apparent desire to protect
the agent general against any en-
earaSSment resulting from the Ger
man participation in discussions now
current in London. Paris. and else
where. regarding the effect of the
continued practice of imposing the
26 per cent levy.
Informal opinion obtained from
German circles appeared to support
the agent-generars contention that
the previous methods of collecting
and allocating amounts resulting
from the recovery acts are decidedly
inimical to the principle of the
Dawes plan transfer system. Ger
man financial quarters further con-
tend that the heavy amounts asses
sed under the recovery acts threaten
to become a serious menace to the
stability of German currency.
While Mr.. Gilberts procedure is
viewed primarily as being step in
the direction Of safeguarding the au
thority of the transfer committee in
its functions OF collecting and trans
ferring reparation funds. German ex-
port interests continue outspokcn IN
their protest against their recovery
principle generally. They hold that
it constitutes an unwarranted dis.
elimination against German COM
merce and materially restricts Ger
many'S capacity to meet obligations
imposed by the London protocol.
Formalities involved in cXpediting
German exports under the recovery
acts also are said to be the source Of
numerous petty annoyances. as they
require recognition OF consular formal
tiles which cost time and fees. These
fees amount to as much as - mark;
on bills of goods valued al only four
or five times as much.
At its meeting on November rs the
transfer committee will reach definite
conclusions respecting the future
treatment OF amounts collected under
the recovery acts. Its action will have
an important bearing on the further
progress of negotiations now going on
between Germany and various creditor
states regarding commercial treaties.
/ The German ministers Of economies
and finance are now in the midst of
critical discussions with England,
| France. Belgium. Italy and other
countries in connection with the con-
! Clusion of permanent trade pacts. and
the fact that the present conferences
are happening at the same time has
made il difficult for the German gov
eminent to mobilize the required num-
| Der of experts.
| In Berlin financial circles tt is he
lieved that Mr.. Gilhcrts move i'll as
sorting the exclusive jurisdiction of
! the transfer committee III dealing
with funds collected under the recov-
cry acts will directly bring the issue
up for final disposition through an
early conference of the reparation
| commission and the allied finance min
| listers who will determine the ultimate
distribution of German payments