The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-04-09

French Newspaper Men. Council Of
Four Agree Upon Principles Of tho
Indemnity.
Paris, April 6.-The preliminary
peace treaty will be ready by Easter
and the Germans will be asked to
come and sign it at the end of April
or the beginning Of May, Premier
Lloyd George Of Great Britain declar-
ed in an interview today with Step
hane Lauzane, editor Of the Matn.
In answer to remark by M. Lau-
zanne that what troubled public opin-
ion was not SO much the delay, as the
secrecy in which the peace negotia-
tons were wrapped and the fear that
the British premier said
Il affirm absolutely. that there is no
divergence among tho ncgotiators.
They are often confronted with tech
nical difficulties which can only be
settled after close study. Take the
question Of rcparations. In substance
the Allies have one common principle
which / once set forth thus-Germany
must pay up to the last fathing Of her
power"
But it is sufficient to draw up a bill
and hand it to the enemy? Must we
not require guarantees and must we
not study the terms, methods and
form Of delayed payments? Must we
not be able to say to our adversary
when he pleads inadequacy OF resourc-
es Yes, you can go as far as that
and you must do it and you must do
that In word. shall we simply pre-
sent bill or collect the money, all
the money possible? Well, that is
where the work comes in, slow and,
difficult work complicated by the fact
that technical experts of the highest
capabilities and great experience are
not in agreement among themselves
either as to the method of liquida-
ton or as to the assets to be realized.
No, there is no divergence among
the ncgotiators, but, alas, there arc
inevitable ones among the exports. Of
ten among those from the same coun-
Try. Who is to decide between them
il not the negotiators and do you think
ii can always be done plickly?"
Iauzanne remarked that what pub
lie opinion could not understand was
why, before everything, Germany was
not handed full bill no matter what
amount and forced to admit fu.i Ia
bilty.
And who says We shall not do so?"
cried Premier Lloyd George "Who
says we have not decided that?'
No. one" the interviewer inter
ruptcd' has that you have decided it,"
The British premier resumed:
Cannot the people wait until we
haV" finished our work instead Of al
ways wanting to Judge our intentions
ThiS conference had to meet and does
things under conditions unprecedented
in history All eyes are turned toward
il and, what is more grave, all ears
are glued at its kcyholc. Enemy ears
LitlIibic Win JOY "ncn lncy detect
some hesitation. Friendly ears half
hear confused rumors which arc ped
dlcd far and quickly.
The day does not pass but what
some false news here and there takes
its fight. Nevertheless. no day passes
but that we in silent deihcration feel
approaching nearer the great aim and
experience for each other more cs-
TEEN, confidence and affection. Let
public opinion wait a few days. 1t will
then be able to pronounce on facts,
not rumors."
Paris, April 6.-Tho council of four
on Saturday reached an agreement on
the principles OF the indcmnitics and
reparationS to be paid by Germany
and examination Of the details will be-
gin Immediately. the newspapers say.
II is not believed there will be any
disagreement as to details and il is in
dicatcd that the text OF the financial
terms will he finished during the week.
The Echo De Paris says that com
promises were affected on all debat-
able points regarding the sum to he
paid at once by Germany and tho pay
ments in the future. Against the OPP