The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-01
CONFER WITH
COOLIDGE ON
DEBT PROGRAM
Caillaux Gets New Proposal
From Mellon in Short
Session
FRENCH MAY GO HOME
Negotiations Reach Crucial
Stage as Sailing Date
NearS
FRENCH MAY GO HOME

Washington, Oct. 1.-LP)-
Frances proposals to date for
settlemenf Of her war debt to
the United States have been
found unacceptable, and today,
the last day of the scheduled
stay in the United States of the
French financial mission, fever
ish efforts were put forth in an
effort to find a common ground
for agreement.
The width of the gap separat-
ing the offers of French Finance
Minister Caillaux and proposals
of the American debt commits
sion is matter Of pure conjeC-
ture. The two missions were
called into joint session today
to once more 20 over the situa-
ton.
Have New Plans
Prior to this meeting, however.
went to the White House and laid
Coolidge. Secretary Mellon then is
sued a statement declaring all French
propositions had proved unacceptable,
but not indicating whether any
American proposal had found favor
with the French, Secretary Melons
statement said.
1t was indicated that the Americans
had in their possession several al
ternate plans with which to counter
the French proposition and the hope
of a settlement hinged largely on the
acceptability of one Of these.
The American commission held a
meeting after leaving the White
House, and their talk with the French
Mission lasted perhaps 10 minutes.
after which the latter returned to
their hotel. 1t was indicated that
the French took with them the sug-
gestions from the Americans concern
ing changes in proposed payments.
1t was accepted generally that the
Americans still regarded the initial
payments of the French as too low.
Caillaux informed Chairman Mellon
of the American group that he would
return about p. m. with the French
views.
One Of the suggestions coming
from the American commission was
that a temporary arrangement might
be made, covering payments by
France for five years after which
another meeting of the missions
would be held to work out per-
manent arrangement.
A figure $4,000, 900 a year for
these five years, was suggested in
one quarter as position.
Found Unacceptable
After a conference at the white
house today between President Cool
idge and the American debt commits
sion, a statement was issued by Sec
retary Mellon for the committee
which called on the president and
which declared that no proposal had
been submitted to Mr.. Coolidge for
his approval or disapproval.
Issue Statement
The statement said:
"The representation in the press
on the supposed authority of a men,
agreement has been reached and pur-
incorrect. Such a statement obvi-
ously did not come from M. Caillaux
because before the adjournment Of
the subcommittee last evening the
French members we're informed by
the American members that their
proposals were not likely to be ac-
cepted.
"There have been no differences
of opinion whatever amongst the
commission. The visit to
the president this morning was to
inform him Of the position of nego-
tiations. No proposal has been made
acceptable to the American commits
sion and none had been submitted to
the president for his approval or dis
approval"
Some members of the American
were of the opinion that
no possibility Of an agreement with
the French was apparent at this
stage. One member felt that the two
commissions are as far apart as they
were upon presentation by Finance
Minister Caillaux Of his first set
tlement proposal last Thursday.
Inform Coolidge
The American commission imme-
diately went into executive session
and it was indicated that following
the scheduled meeting at IL o'clock
with the French commission state
ment giving more details of the pro-
ceedings would be made public.
Mr.. Coolidge was informed of ev-
cry detail, it was declared, of the ne
gotiations up to last night and it
was said on behalf of the American
commission that the situation had
not changed over night insofar as
any indications from either camp
showed.
While the American members were
disinclined to talk about their con-
ference with the president it was ap-
parently the belief that the Amer rican
commission will wait for the French
to move next.
Members Of the American group
hoped, however, that the conversa-
tions would not end immedia lately.
Called Tragic
Those of the Americans who re-
fused to consider negotiations at an
end based their hope on the slogan
that I'VE never quit trading until
the game is ended"
1t was pointed out that changes
may develop in the general situation
as . result Of the conversations to
be held today.
II was noted that Secretary Mel
Ions statement did not indicate the
width OF the gap separating the two
commissions.
The French mission, informed un-
officially Of the statement by the
American SECRETARY, left to n. Call
CONTINUED on pses twel