The Washington times., 1924-12-30
FRANCE MEANS
T0PAY, SAYS
Ii MAT|N
Newspaper, Speaking for Gov
eminent, Says Controversy
Is Due to Misundersta
By FRANK e. MASON.
international News Service.

PARIS, Dec. 30.--France returned
a soft answer today to the storm
Of resentment raised in America by
Clementel's discussion Of allied debts.
While the official viewpoint was
being made known through an edi-
torial sanctioned by the government,
the chamber Of deputies ct noon
voiced tits confidence In Minister
Clementel by a vote Of 325 to 200
on the question of a monthly pro-
visional budget appropriation of
4,8o0, 0o0, 900 francs.
In effect, the governmental INSPIRED
editorial published in Lei Matin de
MED that the French finance min
lister had fatty repudiated its debt
to America, said that his idea that
war obligations should be pooled
and prorated according to ability to
pay was but a Theoretical view. "
and hoped that the troublesome
and inexact impression created in
the United States" had been the re.
suit of cabling only separate para.
graphs from ClementePs inventory
of the situation.
LIE Mathis editorial referred TO
specific paragraphs Of the tnven-
tory in it's endeavor to prove that
France was sincere in its determi-
nation to pay all its debts and
hoped only for Americas sympa-
thetic approach" to the trouble
some question.
Separate paragraphs of Clemen-
tells inventory. cabled to America,
created a troublesome and inexact
impression Ii the United States"
the editorial said.
Only q Theoretical View.
'But this (the. inventory is only
a theoretical view and is not a
proposal, as can be seen by citing
other passages of the report.
Page II says Americas partici-
patton in reviving European finan-
ces permits the hope that America
will approach interAllied debts
with a sympathetic attitude.
Thus Clementel shows he does
not refuse to discuss inter-allied
debts,
page rs declares: France will
consecrate herself to a patient ami
courageous effort to wipe out its
debts, which have been adjusted in
equity, taking into consideration all
the elements affecting them
ION page %, Clementel discusses
inter-allied debts, suggesting in JUS
tice, all war expenses should be
added together, dividing the total
among the allies according to the
proportionate wealth of cash coun-
try"
Why Debts Were Omitted.
elemental explains on page esq.,"
lie Matin continues, "why the bud
get does not mention political debts
The settlement of inter-allied debts
still is In suspense. he says, and we
cannot estimate today the amount
until we have engaged in loyal study
of this subject with our great allies"
American experts, during the
drawing up OF the Dawes plan, the
editorial says, always insisted that
a country's debt must be Subor JInat-
ed to it's capacity to pay without dis
turbing exchange rates or national
economy.
Outside Of official circles the spirit
or placation was not so plainly evil
dent. The financial newspaper
- lhlVAAidtiOi uTSW up uSL OF
points 1t held were in doubt and
asked they be submitted to the world
court for decision.
Debt Questions Raised.
These were, first, the intrinsi,
nature OF inter.allled debts-v-whether
commercial or whether interde.
pendent with our common cause
and note adjustable without con-
sidring the payments Of Germany
and our smaller allies; second, an
estimate OF the proportionate tax
paying sacrifices of each ally, and
third. the demand that Frances
capacity to pay should be appraised
the same as Germany's, taking into
consideration the necessary precal.
tons to prevent depression Of the
franc.