The U. S. Takes a Hand

P:General Smuts, Premier of the Union of South Africa, made a speech in London urging a conference to settle the European problem of reparations, and pleaded for the active support of the U. S. Said he: " The greatest issue in international relations not only of Europe but of the whole world has come to the front. We are back in August, 1914. It is again the scrap of paper. . . . A very grave responsibility rests on France before history."

P:U. S. Ambassador Harvey, in the course of a farewell speech at a dinner of the Pilgrims in London, reiterated the Hughes offer of U. S. mediation in Europe, which rested principally on the unanimity of the Allies in extending an invitation to the U. S. to join in a reparations conference. Said Ambassador Harvey. " Well, Mr. Hughes did it. He did it publicly. America came to the door of Europe and, lo and behold, the door was closed. The United States was not wanted. What could the United States do? What could any self-respecting nation have done? The United States went home. . . . We are willing to 'come in,' as the saying is, as soon as we are asked, but surely we cannot be expected to smash in the door."

In a communication to the British Government U. S. Secretary of State Charles E. Hughes stated the willingness of the U. S. to take part in an "international economic conference" of all the European Allies. This news was received enthusiastically in Britain and Italy, but the attitude of France was uncertain.

P:Premier Baldwin of Britain, in a speech at Plymouth, referred to the Hughes Note and to Premier Poincare of France:

"I had the pleasure of meeting the French President of the Council, M. Poincare, in Paris and establishing with him relations which make it perhaps not too difficult for me to say what I am going to say now. He represents today the opinion of practically the whole of France, and I beg of him to consider for himself, for his nation, for us and for the world, once and twice and thrice, before he refuses this invitation. [Cheers.]

"As to Germany ... we cannot contemplate with any satisfaction the disintegration or disruption of that country, which must put back for years her powers of reparation. Nor can we contemplate the breaking off of any part of Germany into a separate State, which would at once break the Treaty of Versailles."

P:Premier Poincare, in a Sunday address at Sampigny and as Foreign Minister in an official communique, said that France accepted the invitation of a world conference with U. S. participation. With tears in his eyes he declared that France would not countenan a reduction of her reparations claim on Germany and would not evacuate the Ruhr until she has been paid "the total of our reparations." He also expected the conferees to offer remedies for the German financial chaos and suggest means whereby Germany can resume payment of reparations.

The Star, London evening newspaper, represented in a cartoon the popular British view of the reparations tangle. Poincare is about to roll Baldwin in the mud of humiliation, but is held back by a stern glance from " Big Brother Sam," who stands behind "Little Stanley."

Another view depicted the attitude of the parties to the forthcoming conference: Germany wants to prove that she cannot pay; France wants to limit the discussion to how Germany can pay; Belgium wants to find out what Germany ought to pay; Britain wants Germany placed in a position to pay; the U. S. intends to find out what Germany can pay; Italy stands aside and applauds.