"Smoothly, Softly"

The past week saw the international mechanics oiling the reparations machinery in preparation for the heavy work ahead. Germany. The result of the German elections (see GERMANY) gave the coalition of the Moderate Right and Moderate Left and the Centre a working majority in favor of the Dawes plan. In anticipation of the victory, Chancellor Marx had appointed the Germans who are to serve on the committees recommended by General Dawes and his experts. This was the first definite step taken by Germany toward putting the plan into operation. France. A conference took place between Belgium and France, the results of which were summed up by M. Hymans, Belgian Foreign Minister:" Everything is going well toward a full agreement on the reparations question"; and by Louis Bar-thou, Chairman of the Reparations Commission: "Look at the smile on the face of le marechal Foch and you can guess all." Belgium. In addition to the conference with France there was an-other with Britain, the results of which were said to be important, but about which much reserve was evinced in official quarters. Britain. The so-called " Truce of God"-- has given the Labor Government absolute power to back the Dawes plan. Premier MacDonald has been inflexible in his determination to seek an economic settlement of the reparations problems, and on this basis and that of the Dawes plan he met and rebuffed conflicting advances. His unbending attitude, strengthened by unanimous support at home and by Italy abroad, was considered to have been a strong point in favor of " unconditional acceptance of the Dawes plan by all the Allies." He did, however, agree in principle to the guarantees demanded by M. Poincare, and held that acceptance of the plan by France must come from the Premier himself.

-- The "Truce of God" originated in the House of Commons and is the name of an agreement reached between Conservatives and Laborites. Premier MacDonald had stated his position on the Dawes plan when ex-Premier Baldwin was informed that the French Ambassador, Le Comte de Saint Aulaire, was in the Gallery. Mr. Baldwin wrote a hurried note to the Premier asking if it would embarrass the Government if he stated the Conservative point of view. The Premier nodded that it would not. Mr. Baldwin then arose and asked: " Is the right honorable gentleman aware that in his attitude he will have the united support of the British people?" The Premier replied: "I imagined so, but I am exceedingly grateful to my right honorable friend for making it verbal now.