The Washington times., 1924-12-03
TANGLE Looms
ON WAR DEBT ]
ISSUE
Postponement Of Conference
Taken As Rebuff to America
By Britain
BY LLOYD LEHRBAS.
International News Service.

Just when settlement OF the en-
tire acrimonious PREPARATIONS prob.
lem was beginning Cd look easiest
through the successful beginning of
the Dawes plan. the postponement
of the inter-alIied financial con-
ference, scheduled to be held De-
cember Is, today doomed IN Wash
ington as a new and unexpected
obstacle and source OF extreme
diplomatic worry.
Theat the postponement OF the
conference. implying pointedly az
1t does that the British government
Is opposed to American participa-
ton in the reparations payments
on an equal basis with the other
allies. brings the United States face
to face with what is unquestionably
one Of the most important Ques-
lions arising from the aftermath
of the world war is not denied by
State Department officials, although
Secretary Of State Hughes declines
to express his views on the ques-
ton.
AmlcabIe Settlement Necessary.
Aside from the fact that between
$500, 100000 and $500, 900 900, due
the United States, is involved, the
settlement of the question on an
amicable basis is important be-
cause of the manner in which il is
entangled with the Dawes plan,
the rehabilitation OF Europe, and
war debts owed the United States.
The British attitude, 1t is learned,
IL that the United States, by it's
failure to be one of the signatories
of the treaty Of Versailles, forfeited
any right to participate with the
other allies in equal shares in the
spoils of war.
The American viewpoint is that
the United States is entitled to
share in the reparations paid under
the Dawes plan-an American con-
tribution to the solving of Europe's
finances-on an equal basis with
GREAT Britain, France, and the other
victors, as our treaty with Germany
Is just as much in force as the
treaty Of Versailles.
France Admits Claims.
Spokesman for France already
have admitted the justice of the
American viewpoint, SO that official
circles in Washington assume that
opposition to the settlement is en-
gendered by Great Britain. No an
nouncement has been made in
either London or Washington, but
It is known that diplomatic con-
versations already taking place be-
tween Mr.. Hughes and Prime Min
lister Baldwin. in an effort to reach
an agreement on the question.
Distribution OF the reparatfons
proceeds was agreed upon at u
meeting Of the allied premiers at
Spa on July Is, 1920, without con-
sultation with the United States.
At that conference it was agreed
that inasmuch as France had been
the greatest sufferer in the war
she should secure So per cent OF
whatever amount 1t was finally
agreed Germany should pay.
Belgium, in addition to an allot-
ment OF per cent. was granted
priority in the collection Of $780,
100000 gold marks.
AlIOtments Made.
Percentage OF the total allotted
to the other participating allies
were as follows:
Great Britain, % per cent.
Italy, 10 per cent
Jugo-Slovakia, per cent.
Japan, Y of l per cent.
Portugal, y of l per cent.
The percentage allotted amounted
to 98h per cent, leaving / u per
cent of the total unallotted
Claims made by the United States
include bill for S225, 900 900 for
the American army of occupation,
and claims still being adjudicated
by the German-American mixed
claims commission, sitting in Wash.
ington, which are expected to APP
proximate $500, 000, 600.
The Spa conference completely
overlooked such American losses
and expenses-and now the United
States is insisting on having its
$500, 100000 debts inserted as "a
percentage" in the total.