SPA CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3529, 16 July 1920, Page 5

SPA CONFERENCE.

VVHAT WILL BE NEXT MOVE?

LONDON, July 15.

The Times? Berlin corl'e.spomi<:m says: All press correspondence from Spa, connnenting on the presence of "Foch and Sir l—l_ W. Wilson. reatlirms that the Germans are absolutely determined not to accept the" ‘conditions, regarding them as impossible of fulfilment. News of the Allies’ firmness is siirring up bitter feeling. A crowd assembled befiore the French Einbassy in Berlin and demanded removal of the national flag. Police drew off the demonstrators, whereupon a man in German uniform climbed to the roof and pulled down and stole the flag. The Embassy hoisted arrotheit. The incident created great excitement.

A Daily Mfiil nfessage from Spa says the Allies are ready for immediate occupation of the Ruhr region if the terms are rejected. ALLIES TO PRESEKITULTIMATUM 4...... OCCUPATION OF GERMAN TERRITORY. ‘ MARSHAL FOCH AS INTERPRETER. . Received 9.30 u.m_ LONDON, Hwy 15. Reports from Spa state the Allies to—lll-on-ow will deliver a.n ultimatum. To-day the suspense is acute. Lloyd George conferred with vou Simons and Padergweski. No evening communique was issued. The correspondents believe the ‘Allies have come to a. united decision To take common action.

The Daily Chroniclefs correspondent says the solution.of the crisis by agreement is now impossible. The Allies are considering the precise form of action about to be taken. British diplomats view the situation with the gravest anxiety. They point out the coal problem effects Britain,-but coal constittites only one item in the reparation demands. If the German coal attitude be repeated on the other guestions, what; possible hope is there of 2'l solution?

The" Daily Telegraph‘s 3 correspondent u'ndel:sdtands Lloyd George told vonksimons if -he» believes there is any lack of solidarity or Want of dete]'lTlil_lß.fiO'n among the Allies for energetic and speedy aetion, he had better get 'rid of his illusion_

The Supreme Council sat for over two hours in the ‘evening, and agreed on a strong ultimatum demanding two million tons of coafmonthly. The delegates dispersed with a. solemn air. The question of Italian co-opera: tion has been discussed, also the possibility of an American contingent participating in the new occupation. It is understood the Belgian Chief of Staff has unfolded a scheme of gradual occupation of German -towns and villages, according as German'obduracy persists or subsides. It is rumoured von Simons made Lloyd George 3. fresh offer. The Daily News’ correspondent learns that the Italian delegates are Opposed to drastic action. Formai pourparT€fs were continued to-night. A messenger from Lloyd George remained in conference with the German delegates to a late hour.

Von Simone, interviewed, does not regard the threat to occupy Ruhr district seriously, for if -the French went there they would get nothing, because there would be a‘ general strike; rt-herefore, we are simply a.waitillg {the Allies repl;r.. The story is told that Foch on arrival at Spa was as'ked why he returned. He replied: “I understood the Allies and Ge:-n'l'ans are no? speak» ing the same language. I came to act: as an interpreter.”

S'l’|‘lT.~\Tf(‘)T\* MORE HOPEFUL.

GE.R.\IA.NS WI]T.'L fPfR\OBAB‘EY RESIGN.

Roaeived 9.50.

SPA, my 15.

'|‘hur<- is :1 \vido.~i;n'ozu} belief that the (;,cl‘xnans will uocopt the situation. T" is believed Sifinnes advises the zm~ ('(‘pl§;n(‘.(‘. oi‘ the tm'ln.< on the ground H»;lf*i:m=vllp;ltion of Ruhr would be 't’m‘:ll to G'orman_\_’. Stinnes says the (~‘r(-rm:m.<<'wiN .~‘i;‘n, and then fell the ‘RC-.i(:h.~'i’:lg' they \’vm'o forced i 0 (10 90 as :11‘ V(*t'.~‘:lillo;<, fllon~.a.ftm- they Wm pmbnbly resign.

GERMANY OBDITR ATE

P()S]"l‘T(f)N F171,]; o}.‘ /\N_\']"}»j']‘Y,

Reor.=ivod. '9.]o.

PARIS, July «-14.

Ofiicial circles takp :1 ,s'(3r_iolls‘vie\v of the Spa difl"lcu]t'i.es. The French urnxy of occupation Has been 01-Jered to stand to zmns. All leave has been stopped and rein:forcolnont:s have gone to tllcVßhine. ‘

The Daily Express’ cmrrespondellt says az'rnngemcnt.«x are complete for the Fi‘-encla occupation of Ruhr. even if

Britain disapproves, and French minelzs will work the mines.

Spa. messages emphasise that hither--10 there has been no open rupture. The fact that Lloyd George received Herr Simmons is regarded as a hopeful sign, but there has been no further commun'u:.alion from Germany during the day. The Suspense is acute. The Allies held 21. prolonged’ conference during the afternoon; Foch and Wilson attended, and it was adjourne('l till to-nlol‘row, when the decisio-n will be conveyed to the Germans.

There is reported in be considerable difi‘icult.y among the Allies regarding plans if Germany is obdurate. GERMAN PRODUCTION Ol‘ COAL. Received 9.10. . BERLIN, July 15. The newspapers state the coalminers are unlikolymto increase pro'd.uction for the benefit ‘of French capitalists. Germany is ffledged. I'o 2-q.'lrry ouf 'fhc '[‘rezll‘y, but only to‘ the rzxterxt of her myunmnic o:lp:lci’ry. . - .