The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1920. TROUBLE AT SPA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20001, 17 July 1920, Page 8

The Star. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1920. TROUBLE AT SPA.

The negotiations at tho Spa Conference, to which tile German delegates were summoned by the Allied Governments, are not pursuing an untroubled course. Tho Allies have made certain demands, which are objected to by tho German representatives as impossible of performance. They are willing to give certain undertakings, but these undertakings aro qualified by the same “ mental reservations ” which were exhibited by the predecessors of tho present delegates at tho signing of tho Treaty. The argument with which tho Allies are now met is that Germany was only pledged to carry out tho Treaty to the extent of her economic capacity. The argument, in itself, is a perfectly sound one, but the Allies are not prepared to accept the German delegates’ estimates of Germany’s economic capacity. The evasions of the Treaty have been so frequent and notorious that the Allies have no confidence whatever in the good faith of the German Government. It is recognised, however, that the original estimates of the indemnities and reparations which may bo extracted must he revised. This feeling is particularly strong in Britain, where leaders of public opinion arc warning the people not to expect any substantial contribution as a war indemnity from tho German Exchequer. In Franco, there is another view, which explains why the French delegates to the Spa Conference aro presenting such a determined front. A large area of France was cruelly devastated, and her coal mines were deliberately and unnecessarily destroyed by the invaders, with tho avowed object of crippling Franco’s economic recovery after the war. It is this policy of destruction which, boomerang-like, has returned to smite its former disciples. France, unable to mine her own coal, is demanding tho output from the German mines to the extent of at least Iwo piillion tons per month. The Allies’ Reparation Commission had demanded up to 39,000,000 tons per annum, hut M. Millerand, tho French Premier, icpently pointed out that the deliveries had not reached half that amount. He contended that Germany was really in a better economic condition than France, seeing that 79 per cent of her coal requirements were satisfied, against 59 per cent in the case of France. The Allies had no option but to recognise the justice of France’s clainij and the result has been a Note to Germany stating that the demand must be mot, or tho Ruhr Valley, in which large coal mines are situated, will be occupied. The decision, naturally, has created a great sensation in Germany, but it will probably secure the compliance of the Gorman Government. There are not wanting indications that France is prepared to play a lone band if the Allies show any hesitation. The traditional policy of Britain, in regard to peace terms imposed on a vanquished enemy, is moderation, and it is quite evident that tho British Government believes that nothing is to bo gained by forcing Germany and tho German people into economic and social bankruptcy. France, however, has suffered too severely to bo swayed by scruples regarding the future of her enemy, She was beaten and then robbed in tho Franco-Prnssian war, but she rose heroically and discharged tho peace terms to the uttermost farthing. The whirligig of time has brought its revenges, and victorious Franco will not fail to collect the old debt with interest added.