Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-04-16
LITTLE ALLIES
To GET CRUMBS
Of PREPARATION
Britain and France Will
Gobble at Least IS
PC. of Indemnity.
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT
AHEAD FOR BELC|ANS

Paris. April 15.-(By the Associated
Press The problem Of reparation set
Elements still has troublous times before
1t IN connection with the question of the
distribution Of the war indemnity. Small
er powers are still to be heard relative
TO their shares Of the reparation fund.
particularly Belgium, the claims Of which
are entitled to first consideration under
various pre-conference pledges.
The tentative scheme Of distribution
which Great Britain and France have
advanced apportions between so and 90
per cent, probably So, Of the total sum
realized to these big powers, leaving per
maps to per cent to satisfy the demands
Of Belgium, Italy, Serbia, Rumania Rus.
sia and others.
This is smaller proportion than the
secondary powers expected 1t has been
suggested among the experts on the re-
parations commission that Rumania. Ser
bia and other nations have received re-
paratlons thru the acquisition Of terri
Tory, put this reasoning will scarcely ap-
peal to Belgium.
russia ) SHdEe IN ! rust.
a share Of the reparations fund will,
according to the, .present understanding
be assigned to Russia for damage to
invaded Russian territories. but probably
will be turned over to Great Britain and
France to apply on advances made to
the old Russian government during the
war.
Atho the contributions payable by
Germany are characterized as repara-
tions, very considerable part Of the
first $4,000. 100000 will not be available
for reparation purposes. since it has been
assigned to the payment Of the ex-
penses Of the armies Of occupation and
such food supplies as must be furnished
Germany. Since the occupation Of the
left bank Of the Rhine will continue dur
ing the entire two years covered BY this
first payment, the expenses. particular
ly Of the French occupation army. will
eat deeply into the S. OO0,OOO,OOO
Five Categories of Damage.
No announcement mas been made re-
garding the classes Of damages for which I
Germany is required to pay 1t can be /
stated, however. that the five categories
adopted comprise reparaton for actual I
damage to life and property; pensions
for crippled and families Of slain sol
diers; compensation for enforced labor
exacted of inhabitants Of occupied re-
gions, including work done BY deported
Belgians: remuneration for illegally ex-
acted labor by prisoners Of war and
payments for German acquisitions in oc-
cupied territories.
1t is understood that no offset has
been allowed Germany for the mainten-
ance of prisoners Of war in Germany
during the war, the associated govern
ments holding shat the prisoners were
chiefly supported at their own expense
thru food parcels by which alone the
prisoners were able to maintain exist
ence during captivity and that the sur
plus has been covered by work the pris
oners performed for Germany.
Paying Debts Another Phase.
Another financial question requiring
settlement between the allies is that of
repayment Of advances made by Great
Britain and America to the associated
powers. A sub commission was appoint
ed to consider this question but the Brit
ish and American representatives have
thus far not participated n the delibera-
tions.