AMERICAN VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 111, 7 November 1923, Page 5

AMERICAN VIEW

FULL INVESTIGATION SOUGHT.

WASHINGTON. sth November. A statement of the French position regarding reparations was brought here today by the French Ambassador, M. Jusserand, who is back from Paris It'is indicated that after a talk between him and Mr. Hughes, the American Government may be in .a position to determine quite soon whether participation in the .expert.inquiry will be regarded as worthwhile. The Government holds to its view that there should be the fullest possible exploration of the facts that underlie Germany's industrial productivity. Information in the possession of the Government is to the effect that substantial reparation payments by Germany are not to be expected ii\ the near future, without the stabilisation of confidence in Germany. On the contrary, the United^States is almost facing the time when it. must make available Jarge sums of money to feed German nationals, because of the confused economic situation in Germany. In these circumstances the United States is, more limn convinced the time has come when a financial plan to.make possible the collection of reparation payments should be devised, and that such a plan, to have practical value, must rest upon the study of every phase of Germany's economic condition.

Officials do not regard the. creation of a. commission to propose a plan as in any way jeopardising the Treaty rights, so zealously guarded by France. ■•• The .State Department's- advices indicate that Britain, Italy, and Belgium have reached accord, favouring a free and full reparations inquiry by an expert committee.