PEACE TASKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1920, Page 5

PEACE TASKS.

TREATY WITH GERMANY.

ALLIES' NEW CONDITIONS.* By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Spa, July 11. It is rumored that the Allies are prepared to make considerable concessions in order to reach a settlement regarding reparations. M. Millerand's conciliatory declaration that the Allies are not anxious to insist on their full literal rights impressed the German delegation and created optimistic hopes of a settlement. It is understood that Germany's proposals, which are to be handed to the Allies to-night, will ask, firstly, that specific annual payments be fixed; seoondly, that the total indemnity be definitely fixed; thirdly, that Germany Be allowed to pay with coal and materials for the reconstruction of the devastated areas, fourthly, that arrangements be made whereby German creditors shall be paid proportionately to the annual progress of improvements in Germany.—Aus.-N Z Cable Assn. London, July 9. A Spa communique states that at the opening of the conference Mr. Lloyd George expressed the Allies' determination to secure execution of the Treaty, which hitherto had been inadequate as regards the surrender or destruction of material and the reduction of effectives. He indicated the* extent to which the Allies had taken into account the observations and difficulties of the new German Government, upon the sincerity of whose intentions he did not wish to cast a doubt. He also pointed out that a fresh postponement would be granted on certain definite conditions of which realisation would 1)0 cheeked and guaranteed by precise sanctions. The following Allied reply to the German proposals wao then read: Conditionally that Germany;— (a) Proceeds immediately to disarm thp Einwornedvehren and Sichheitspolizoi. (b) Publishes a proclamation demanding immediate delivery of all arms held by the civil population and decreeing effective penalties in case of contravention; if the Government's legal powers are insufficient for the purpose it shall immediately obtain such by legislature. (c) Immediately executes a series of measures necessary for the abolition of conipuisory military service ani the organisation of the army on thj basis of o long term of mi'litarv service as provided by the Treaty. (d) delivers to the Allies for destruction, and helps the Allies to destroy, all arms rfnd military material bsyond the quantities authorised by the Treaty. (e) Assures .the application of the unexecuted aircraft and naval clauses

Then the Aljies agree:— Firstly, to extend to October 1 the period provided for.the reduction of the Reichsweir effectives, at which date it shall be reduced to 150,000; the Allies also agree to a further postponement, expiring on January 1 next, for the reduction of effectives to 100,000, when the exact composition of the organisatipn must be completed according to the Treaty. Secondly, authorise the German Government to keep in the neutral zone until October 1 for assisting in the collection of arms such a number of effectives as is communicated by the inter-Allied military commission of control. Thirdly, take all necessary measures to prevent contraband traflib in arms from the occupied territories intended for other parts of Germany. If before January 2 next the Allied control commissions in Germany find that the present arrangements are not being carried out loyally, the Allies will proceed to occupy more German territory, either in the Ruhr or some other region, and will only evacuate it when the present conditions have been wholly fulflllad.

i « tSe coal problem, THE GERMANS'CASE. London, July 10. A Spa communique states that the conference discussed thjjj question of coal, and Herr Bergmann explained that the shortage of deliveries was due to the Rhine floods and Germany's internal troubles and strikes.

M. Millerand, replying, pointed out that, notwithstanding that the reparations comipissions had reduced the coal demanded from Germany from 39 to 21 million tons annually, Germany had delivered roughly at the rate of only half the latter ainount. Moreover, Germany, on her own authority, had reduced th» deliveries by 10,000 tons daily under a pretext that an increased supply had been given to Poland. Germany was actually in a more favorable situation than France, being able to fulfil 79 per cent, of her needs, as against 59 per cent, in the case of France. .

M. Millerand pointed out that at the very moment when Germany was failing to fulfil her obligations- she was making coal contracts with Switzerland and Holland, against the protests of the reparations commission. M. Millerand read, not giving details, the proposed Allied measures.

The Germans were given till this morning to reply. Herr Sjmons later communicated th§ conference Germany's reply to tlis Allies' notification regarding coal. Ho disputed tlie legal riglit of the Allies to impose their decision. He admitted that the coal deliveries should not have been diminished, nor contracts with other States concludtM in the absence of, an agreement with the preparations commission, but the failure of Germany to fulfil her engagements was solely due to reasons of force majeure. He said that the question of production and distribution of coal could only be settled by common investigation.—Reuter. Herren Fehrenback and Simons apologised to the secretary of the Conference for Herr Stinnes' insolent outburst, and declared that had they known bis intention they would not have permitted him to speak.

THREAT TO FOCH. MADMAN POINTS REVOLVER. Paris, July 11. The Petit Parisien -states that an armed madman, meeting Marshal Foch walking in a street in -a Belgian town, presented a revolver as Kim, declaring, "I could kill you if I liked.'" The man was disarmed, but at Marshal Foch's request was not arrested^ —Aus.-N.Z. Cab Is Asaa,