GERMANY MUST DISARM.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16883, 10 July 1920, Page 9

GERMANY MUST DISARM.

ALLIES' FIRM TONE.

(Bv Cable-Press Association-Copyright.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, July 7. \ Spa communique states that the president, M. Delacroix (Prime Minister of Belgium) and Mr Lloyd George insisted on the necessity for Germany fixing deJinite and early dates for the execution of her obligations under the Peace Treaty regarding military, naval, and aerial matters if she wished sincerelv to ensure peace and inspire confidence. Mr Lloyd Goorge requited tho German delegates to furnish details at the next v sitting of the conferee German Chancellor (Herr Fehrenbach) guaranteed the peaceful sentiments of the mass of the German people, and their freedom from any idea of revenge. . n Spa messages indicate that the tiermans are genuinely alarmed by the Allies' firmness. . The French and Belgians are delighted at Mr Lloyd Georges strong stand. _ , , Some members of the German delegation counselled a refusal to give specific promises, and preferred a rupture of the negotiations, but saner counsels prevailed. The German discussions continued throughout tho night and morning, in order to have a plan ready for the afternoon conference, in accordance with the Allies' demands. The Germans sought the Allies' advice at one stage as to whether they were nroceedin<i as required. the Spa correspondent of the Lvenin"- Standard" understands that the proposals provide for tho reduction of the German effectives occupying a much longer period than the Treaty stipulates, and believes that the plan amounts to a revision of the Treaty. The correspondent adds: "The British miltiary advisers support the proposals, but the French and Belgians disapprove of any departures from tho Treaty stipulations." (•'The Times.") (Received July 10th, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 8. The Germans have been granted a day to consider the Allies' conditions.

PLAYING FOR TIME,

ONE MILLION MEN UNDER ARMS.

(Auatralian and N.Z.. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 7.

The Spa Conference met in the afternoon to receive the German reply regarding tho surrender of material and the reduction of tho German effectives under the Treaty. Herr von Simons (German Foreign Minister) repeated 'that extreme difficulties were racing Germany in satisfving the Allies, and dangers were threatening her. Nevertheless, Germany recognised the necessity for furnishing precise data regarding the existing material, and the dates on which, in the German Government's opinion, ths arms and effectives might be reduced to the Treaty hgures. Ho concluded by calling on General von Seeckt (Chief of the German General Staff) to speak. General von Seeckt handed in a detailed note regarding material. He proposed that a proportional reduction of material and effectives bo carried out within 15 months. Mr Lloyd George, replying described the anxiety which existed in Germany, according to tho German Ministers' statements, caused by the conference. Several millions of rifles still remained in the hands, not only of the German troops, but of the population, and, in addition, there were thousands of machine-guns, trench mortars, and guns, while over 1,000,000 soldiers were under arms under various forms and pretexts. It was beyond his comprehension that such a dangerous and abnormal situation should be granted any Government. The Allies' could not permit a prolongation of that situation for another 15 months. It must be settled by a vigorous effort in tue shortest, practicable time. Military, naval, and air experts, he said, would meet to-night to investigate the Allied and General von Seeckt's figures, after which tho Allies would to-morrow announco their final decision. (Received July 9th, 5.5 n.m.) SPA, July 7. The German plan has been submitted to Marshal Foch, Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, and tho other military experts, who will report on it immediately. It is believed that the danger of a rupture at the Conference has been averted. A later message states that M. Millerand, after the Conference, said: — "Everything is proceeding satisfactorily. The Germans arc conciliatory. I hope we shall go home on Sunday " Mr Lloyd George said: "The German plan will not do, but it offers a basis for a settlement." General von Seeckt's detailed npte admitted that, including the "security police," and "Citizen Guards," the Germans had 1,000,000 men under arms, and 3,000,000 additional rifles. His note added that it was difficult to get these rifles. Everything had been tried except force, which was dangerous, but it would now be tried. Mr Lloyd George, replying, said tho Allied figures did not tally with those of von Seeckt, but even ho admitted that 1,000,000 men were under arms. The fact that there wore many revolutionaries did not make the matter less serious. It was impossible to allow the unrest in Europe to continue for fifteen months, as von Seeckt? had proposed. The Allies thought three months was enough to complete the reduction of Germany's armed forces. (Received July 9th, 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. An Exchange Telegraph Agency message from Spa states that the German and Allied military officials informed tho Conference that they had been unablo to reach a decision. Mr Lloyd George curtly ordered them to resume negotiations "and report in the afternoon. It is rumoured that Herr Gersler, Minister of Defence, resigned, but was persuaded to reconsider his decision on tho promise that the Germans would be allowed six months to effect disarmament.

GERMAN PRESS COMMENT.

(Received July 9th, 8 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 7. The. "Berliner Tageblatt" blames the German delegates for the misunderstandings at Spa, adding: "Mr Lloyd George intends to go straight to the point, and the Germans must accommodate themselves to this, and work with method.'' The "Freiheit" says: "Tho attitude of the German Government constantly endangers the success of the negotiations. ~ The people should insist that their representatives do not act as valets to German militarism."

THE REPARATIONS PROBLEM

("The Ximee.") (Received July 9th, SAS p.m.) LOXDOX, July 7. The Spa correspondent of "The Times" says that during the converse tions of the Allies, Mr Lloyd George suggested that perhaps it wouid be advisable to permit the Germans an increase of their armed forces, in the event of the occurrence of internal disorder. Marshal Foch objected en the ground that this woaid encourage the

Germans to provoke disorder, and tho suggestion was abandoned. All accounts agree that the German financiers want some form of international credit, with a view of expediting the restoration of Germany's manufactures and foreign trade. Their scheme apparently aims at the postponement of reparations until Germany is able to pay from trade profits from oversea. A fatal objection to this is that the Allies would thereby enable Germany to regain her prosperity before the countries which "suffered" most at German hands. It is pointed out, moreover; that the Allies'" acceptance of this scheme might create a mushroom growth in German trade out of proportion to the markets now open to German v.