Evening star., 1925-09-25
AMERICANS INFORM
CA|[LAUX Of NEED
FOR BETTER TERMS
Reasons for Objection to
First Proposal Are Stated
in Brief Meeting.
FRENCH KEPT WAITING
HOUR FOR AMERICANS
Joint Session Lasts Only Is Min
utes-Counter-P Proposal Be-
lieved Probable.

today replied to Frances original
proposal outlining her capacity to
pay her $4,000, ,00O, 900 debt to the
United States.
While il was understood that in the
main the entire proposal of the
French was considered as unaccept-
able in its original form, the Amerl |,
cans presented information which
was interpreted today as the Ameri-
cans counter proposal.
American officials were careful to
say that technically, however. there
had been no definite proposal or re-
lection, as it had been understood
the conversations were to be entirely
informal until definite basis for ne
Gotiation was reached.
Meeting is Brief.
The meeting, of brief duration, be-
tween the two commissions today,
was interpreted as having brought
about the second phase of the nego-
tiationS. which constituted reply from
the Americans containing concrete OBJ
jections TO some points of the French
position.
No deadlock of any kind has been
reached, it was definitely stated, and
the next meeting of the two commits
Sions will be held tomorrow morning.
But one high American official de-
chned to indicate whether or not ii
could be considered that these first
two days of negotiations have brought
about any real progress.
Capacity to Pay.
Tp rJo lail
fore the American commission. it is
known that they presented their
view of the French capacity to pay.
Many phases of this were outlined.
il is understood. including the French
income from all sources. How far the
French went, however, in figures,
American sources would not reveal.
French Finance Minister CaillauN,
in a conference with news corre-
Spondents last evening. frankly said
his offer was definite proposal"
The nature of the American coun-
ter-proposal was not revealed but 1t
was emphasized that the information
afforded the French followed along
the lines which have been agreed
upon, of informal progress
Are Asked to Wait.
The French commission came to
the Treasury shortly before 80 this
morning, but instead of being escort
ed into a joint meeting, were asked
to wait in an adjoining room. There
they waited for more than an hour
and when they were invited in to
meet the Americans they remained
for not more than Is minutes and
departed.
Following this meeting the Ameri
cans continued their session until
shortly after ! o'clock.
There will be no further meeting
of the American commission today, 1t
was said. but they will join the French
tomorrow morning, probably about 10
o'clock.
At President Coolidge's cabinet meet
ing at the White House this morning
it was definitely stated that the ques-
tion of the French debt did not come
up. Neither was the present nego-
tiation a subject for conversation at
the Presidents dinner to the French
commission last night.
American officials for the most part
were even more reticent to admit
there had been a French proposal
than the French themselves. AS late
as Yesterday afternoon, following the
first joint session, it was officially
stated for the Americans that as yet
no official proposal" was considered
as having been offered.
Will Proceed Patiently.
In view, however, of past utter
ances of American commissioners the
conclusion was drawn unoficially that
while the Americans will stand firm
ly upon the general precedence of
their past achievements, they will
proceed with diplomacy and patience
In consideration of terms for France
consonant with her ability to pay.
In other words, while the serious
ness of the negotiations assumed more
importance today, the spirit of hope
fulness that successful conclusion
will be reached still continues.
The American commission held two
sessions yesterday of considerable
length following the joint meeting
with the French. 1t is true that con-
clusions of a funding agreement with
the Republic of Latvia occupied some
time. but it is known that long and
earnest consideration was given the
French position.
There were also indicat tons that NJ.
Caillaux and his commission still have
hopes of a speedy settlement. The
ship on which they have planned to
sail, it was understood unoificially to-
day. under new sailing orders. will
leave New York one week from to-
night instead of one week from to-
morrow There were no developments
10 show that the French commission
made any change in its avowed inten-
ton to catch this ship.
Made Definite Proposal.
The French foreign minister held a
conference at the embassy last eve
ming for newspaper men and women
when he revealed that at the first
meeting with the Americans yester-
day he had made a definite proposal. ;"
With gracious and affabe manner,
the head of the French commission
replied to questions crisply and pleas
antly. 1t was evident. however, that
Re successfully foiled all attempts to