THE SPA CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1862, 12 July 1920, Page 5

THE SPA CONFERENCE.

ALLIES' PROPOSALS SIGNED. GUILTY TO BE PUNISHED. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SPA, July 9. The German delegates have signed the Allied proposals, making an oral protest. It is reported that tho Berlin Cabinet has resolved to inform the Allies that only the Reichstag has power to accept a stipulation regarding the further military occupation of Germany, in the event of the Allies being dissatisfied regarding the manner in which tho disarmament is being carried out. The Conference is now considering the German coal deliveries, and the surrender of war criminals. An incident occurred in

the morning between the French and Belgian delegates regarding the division of coal supplies, but it was satisfactorily settled. Tlie Germans declared that the German courts had already taken preliminary steps in regard to the war criminals, but there had been considerable difficulty, because some of the names had been submitted inaccurately, and others were improperly charged, whilst others had fled from Germany. Mr Lloyd George denied that any were improperly charged, and added: i hope Germany won't try to dodge this question also!

Herr Von Simmons said: Germany has every intention of fulfilling her promises. We require evidence and we want the Allies to help us. Mr Lloyd George asked: Have you made any arrests ? Herr Von Simmons replied: No. The evidence is insufficient to procure warrants. Mr Lloyd George: The Allies .only want to punish the guilty, and will publish all the evidence in their possession. We hope the German courts will do their duty—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

1 LONDON, July 11. A German delegate made a provocative speech at Spa regarding coal. He said that it was necessary to cure the_ Allies of the disease of victory, with which they were touched. "If France's black troops occupy the Ruhr to coerce German workers, because Germany is unable to fulfil/the Allied coal demands," he said, "the entire white race will recoil with repulsion) and tho Allies will not get coal, because the immigration of workmen to Ruhr will-cease, and no houses will be built.''—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

ALLIES' 1 REPLY TO GERMANY. REVISION OF CONDITIONS. Received July 12, 8.5 a.m. LONDON,*JuIy 9. A Spa communique states that at tho opening of the Conference, Mr Lloyd Georgo expressed the Allies' determination for the execution of the Treaty, which has hitherto been inadequate as regards the German surrender or destruction of war material and the reduction of effectives. Ho indicated the extent to which the Allies had taken into account the observations and difficulties of the new German Government, on whose sincerity of intentions he did not wish to cast any doubt. Ho also pointed out that the fresh postponement was only granted on definite and certain conditions. t j

The following Allied reply to the German propositions was then read: —Conditionally that Germany (a) proceeds immediately to disarm the Einwolmerwehren and Sichorheitopolizoi; (b) publishes n proclamation demanding the immediate delivery of all arms held by the civil population and decreeing effective penalties in the case of contravention (if the Government's legal powers are insufficient for the purpose, it shall immediately obtain such by legislation); (c) immediately executes a- series of measures necessary for the alwlition of compulsory military service am! the organisation of the army on the basis of long term military service as provided by the Treaty; (d) delivers to the Allies for destruction and helps the Allies to destroy all arms and military material beyond the quantities authorised by the. Treaty; (e) assures tho application of tho unexecuted aircraft and naval clauses —then the Allies agree, firstly, to extend to October Ist tho period provided for the reduction of tho Reichswehr effectives, at which date they j shall be reduced io 150.000 men. Tho

Allies also agree to a further postponement, expiring l January Ist next, for tho reduction of the effectives to 100,000, when the exact composition of tho organisation must be completed according to tho Treaty. Secondly, tho Allies authorise the German Government to keep in the neutral /one until October Ist, for assisting in the collection of arms, such number of .effectives as is communicated by tho Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control. Thirdly, tho Allies take all the necessary measures to prevent contraband traffic in arms from the occupied territories intended for other parts of Germany. If before January 2nd

next, the Allied Control Commissions in Germany find the present arrangements are not being carried out loyally, the Allies will proceed to occupy more German territory, either the Ruhr Valley or some other region, and will only evacuate it when the present conditions are unconditionallly fulfilled—(Reuter.)

HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. Received July 12, 10.35 a.m. SPA. July 11. It is rumoured that the Allies are prepared to make considerable concessions in order to reach a settlement re reparations. M. Millerand's conciliatory declaration that the Allies were not anxious to insist on full and literal lights impressed the German delegation and created optimistic, hopes of a settlement. It is understood that Germany's proposals, which were handed to the Allies to-night, will ask: Firstly, that specific annual payments bo fixed; secondly, that the total indemnity be definitely fixed ; thirdly, that Germany bo allowed to pay with coal and materials for reconstruction of devastated areas; fourthly, that arrangements be made whereby Germany's creditors shall be paid proportionately to the annual progress of improvements in Germany.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) GERMANS APOLOGISE. Received July 12, 9 a.m. SPA. July 11. Mr Lloyd George has caught a slight chill, .llerr Fehrenbach and llerr Simons apologised to the secretary of the Conference for llerr Stinness's insolent outburst, and declared had they known his intention they would not have permitted him to gpealc—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) LLOYD GEORGE AND AMERICA. Received July 12, 9 a.m. NEW YORK, July 9. The New York Sun's correspqndent at Spa interviewed Mr Lloyd George while walking in tho gardens. Tho correspondent asked whether the Prime Minister did not think the American people would _ believe the Allies were giving way considerably before the Germans. Mr Lloyd George answered, "Perhaps they will talk that, way in America, but I want you to tell the Americans this for me: If the Americans were here with us, things might bo entirely different, but they have left us. They are out of it; they are not giving us any help to solve these'problems. They would have some right to talk if they were."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

TO HELP GERMANS. Received July 12. 9 a.m. BERLIN. July 11. British shipowners here offered to restore to the Hamburg-American Line a portion of the vessels now in British ports. It is understood a credit for five years is suggested—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) CONTROL OF DANTZIG. Received July 12, 10.35 a.m. SPA, July 11. The Conference decided to place the transport arrangements at Dantzig under a Joint Commission of Poles and representatives of the free city of Dantzig. Its chairman will be selected by and represent the League of Nations.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)