Evening star., 1931-06-23
Continued From First Page.l

capitals and of the washington Gov
ernment were centsred on Paris, for 1t
is from France that the next big de-
velopment in the reparations situation
Is expected.
There were indications that the
Hoover plan has taken the French by
surprise and that the government is
finding some embarrassment In agree
ing upon the form Of its answer.
It seems clear that France does not
wish to be rushed into dealing with the
Hoover proposal. While there Is no in
dication that the nation wants to re-
1ect the American plant is apparent
that time is desired that the govern
ment may reflect upon 1t and fully un-
derstand its effect on the future eco
nomic, financial and political situation
Of Europe.
May Have Another idea.
It is even deemed possible that
France may have another idea about
how the German question should be
handled.
One minister declared after leaving
the cabinet meeting that it was too
early to predict the nature of Frances
reply because discussion among the
ministers is not sufficiently advanced.
THE cabinet has examined the pro-
poSal Of Mr.. Hoover, President of the
United States, tending to the deferring
OF tntergovernmental payment of debts
and reparations," said the official COM
munique issued by Premier Laval.
IN. BRAND put before the cabinet
the conditions under which the French
government has been approached with
this proposal. Minister of Finance
Flandin and Budget Minister Pietri set
forth the consequences which the
American suggestion would entail for
French finance.
To Decide Reply Tomorrow.
"The discussion will be resumed to-
morrow morning during another cabinet
meeting which viii decide upon the
text of the reply to be sent to the
President of the United States"
By coincidence, Premier Laval, just
after the close of the cabinet meeting,
received an important delegation from
the international association "for peace
based on respect Of treaties" Included
in the delegation were citizens Of
France, Poland, Rumania, CzechoSlo-
vakia and JugoSlavia. They congratu-
lated the premier on a recent address
in which he said France would insist
that treaties be respected.
Official circles exercised discretion in
not haZarding predictions as to Frances
attitude until the plan had been exam
ined in the minuteSt detail. However,
a foreign Office spokesman said the
Presidents offer was q great and gener-
Gus act" in view Of Americas own eco
nomic difficulties.
lie Matin Optimistic.
lie Matin, usually well informed, said
preliminary study OF the proposal re-
vealed it was not impossible that France
could accept it as a whole without re-
nouncing any Of her rights, pointing out
that Mr.. Hoover had diSapproved OF
cancellation of war debts and intimat-
ing that the same thing could be said
of reparations.
There is no reason why Mr.. Hoover's
intentions cannot be respected and
France associate herself with his "salu-
tary, generous enterprise" the Matin
said. The French treasury could con-
tinue to receive Young plan payments
from Germany and the French market
could employ the equivalent or even
more for the benefit Of the Reich, the
paper set forth.
Barring some extreme left organs, the
newspapers are almost unanimous in
objecting to the plan Tor the reason
that it would mean the scoppage OF the
unconditional payments In the Young
plan and thereby open hole In the
budget. The principle generally Is con-
sidered praiSeworthy, but its translation
into working agreement is felt to be
dubious.
It is understood that deputies hostile
to the government will present their
interpretations against Foreign Minister
BRAND on Friday, demanding to know
whether or not he was consulted before
the plan was announced and, II so,
what position he took.
Beginning Of Disarmament.
Socialist Deputy Camille Planche to-
day filed an Interpolation against the
government in regard to the Hoover
proposal, saying it should serve as the
beginning Of q general disarmament
program,
Numerous other interpretations, all in
dicating the vast Importance with
which France views the Hoover pro-
posal were fled Pierre Cot, Radical
Deputy, gave notice that he will ask
the government what will be done to
incorporate the Hoover suggestion into
the framework Of a scheme for the gen.
eraI economic reorganization OF Europe.
Deputy Dubois, Moderate and former
chairman of the Preparations Commts-
sion, wishes to know what the govern
ment will do by way Of accepting the
American proposal.
naurc xrYYu 1rr VYNyxvEpSE