SPA CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3531, 20 July 1920, Page 2

SPA CONFERENCE.

. HOW GBBMAK Y SIGN tiD. LONDON, July 17. Spa messages state thai von Simons, at the afternoon session, proceeded to argue, when M. Millcrand intervened and demanded a direel aflirmatlve or negative. Von Simons ignored the request, thereupon M. Millerand whispered to Mr Movd George, who rose and politely invited the Germans to retire to the tearoom until they could answer "Yes" or "No." The Germans returned at 8.45 in the evening and signed the agreement with a reservation concerning the Allies' claim'to occupy the Ruhr in the event of non-fulfilment, An agreement has been signed at Spa between Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Belgium and Portugal providing that the German reparations shall be divided as follows:—Britain f.2 per oftiit.: France f,2 rer cent.: Italy in per cent.; Japan and Portugal each .75 ior cent.: Belgium S per cent.; the remaining 6* per cent is reserved for Greece, Bo.ircanin and others. Provision is also made for dividing the Au<-ro-Hunsatian and Bulgarian moneysThe Allies undertake to facilitate the issue of Germans loans destined for Germany's internal requirements, and the prompt discharge of debt to the Allies.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE OPTIMISTIC

SPA,. July 17. Mr Lloyd George told Press correspondents that lie regarded the conference as a great success. Results would soon be apparent. Great advance hail been made, towards peace. Both sides reachoYl a better understanding of the problems. Even the French, who M first were sceptical, now agree that the conference was a success. Referring to the effect of Bolshevik successes. Mr Lloyd George said the German delegation were entirely antiBolshevik. He pointed out that disarmament was more important than coal. The whole of the future relations depended upon it. He had undisguised admiration for Yon Simon's abilitv and courage.