SPA CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 3

SPA CONFERENCE

'(Reuter’s Telegram.) BELGIAN PROTESTS. SPA, July (1. Belgium will not consider the signature to the Versailles Treaty binding if M. Millerand and Hon. Lloyd George insist on altering it. Belgian delegates stormily protested against other nations receiving priority, declaring it modifies the articles of the Pence Treaty, which placed Belgian claims over others. A DRAMATIC SITTING. LONDON, July 6. The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent at Spa records that a long dramatic sitting has been hold. Herr Cossler, (German Minister of Defence), explained that 100,000 soldiers would be inadequate for many. Mr Lloyd George asked: “Is that a declaration that the German Government does not intend to fulfill the Treaty?” The Gorman Foreign Minister, Herr Simons, intervened, saying that the War Minister had not adequately explained his .meaning. The German Government intended to reduce the army, but could not do so without risking internal disorder.

Then there was an adjournment to consider the situation.

011 resuming Mr Lloyd George said that Germany did not. seem to understand tfie gap, there was between the terms and the extent of German execution of the Treaty. Apart from men. Germany had fully 1000 machine guns, several thousand other guns, and a million rifles. Tho Aides did not desire to bo harsh, but risks from Bolshevik and military alike could not be ignored. He said that unless a definite scheme was produced to-morrow it would be useless to continue the Conference. - A GERMAN THREAT. (Received'this day at 9.20 a.m.) SPA, July 6. .G order, interviewed, says lie intends to retire from the conference, unless more favourable terms are granted. He would not insist on Germany retaining an army of two hundred thousand, hut' a strong force is- necessary, and reduction must be permitted-slowly.