The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-05
KING ALBERT ASKS
SUCCOR FOR BELGIUM
81, 900, 100000 Loan to Re-
deem Marks Needed.
BIZ the Annotated Preaa.

PARIS, April 4.-Belgium's case has
been laid before the Peace Conference
by the most distinguished advocate Bel
GUM could have chosen. King Albert
has been in Paris for three days and in
numerous conferences with representa-
tives OF the great towers he has out
lined the needs Of his country and told
them OF the steps that must be taken i'm
mediately IL Belgium Is to be restored
King Albert has had long conversa-
lions with President Wilson, Col. House,
Premier Clemencaau and David Lloyd
George These conversations led up to
his appearance before the Council Of
-Four to-day.
4 member OF the Belgian peace delega-
ton told the Associated Press to-day
that, shorn of all its diplomatic niceties,
what King Albert told the council might
be summarized thus:
The time OF promises has passed.
If Belgium is to live the council must
act.
s2,OOo,OOO,OOO Loan Needed.
The Associated Press is able to state
that three questions OF vital immediate
Importance TO the reestablishment OF
Belgium, financially. economically and
politically. were discussed. The hrst
question was the immediate advance to
Belgium of about ten billion francs the
second. the expectation to Belgium from
England and the United States OF raw
materials. and the third the cession TO
Belgium OF the left bank OF LEscaut
River and the Lemberg peninsula.
The first Item represents the value OF
German marks left in circulation in Bel
GUM After the departure of the Ger
mans the Ministry OF Finance sent out
| an urgent call to holders OF the marks
| to deposit them in the banks. The
amount was estimated to be about two
billion 100000. o0o), and 1t had been
the Governments intention to redeem
them at the par value OF one franc 81
| centimes.
Belgium was not prepared for the ava.
lanche of marks that resulted. Eigh,
billion marks E1,600.o oO. oO0) passed
| through the bani--- winGows into the
vaults. The banks were unable TO re.
deem this amount OF paper and deposit
| tors merely received receipts. stating
that a certain amount of marks were
| held TO their credit until such time Al
financial arrangements could be made te
reimburse them.
| The payment OF an immediate indem
able repayment for these deposits. TIL,
indemnity thus far has failed TO mate
rialize. Depositors cannot draw agains
these credits. with the result that som,
ten billions of francs are idle, as tn
banks are paying no interest on sucl
deposits.
The importation OF raw materials 4
said to be indispensable to the retriev
ing Of Belgium from the economic stand
point,
Danes Ask for Piebiscite.
A delegation of Danes nom the reglor
south OF the contemplated Schleswig- Hol
stein tentative boundary line has arrived
In Paris and has requested that
plebiscite be held TO determine the status
OF the Danes In the district In question
The members OF the delegation CLAIM
that their arguments were not heart
when the boundary commission wa
summoned 10 consider the matter.
The proposed limitation of German ar
maments has at present for the German
largely an academic interest, as the de
pendablo forces which the State and pri
vate enterprise have been able to rails
by an incessant advertising campaign
and offers Of good pay and bonuses 4
volunteers do not roach the lowest ngur
mentioned in reports as to the siye o
the army to be allowed Germany by tn
; Peace Conference, according to the lat
est advces from German sources. Tn
Socialists. In addition, retain their oil
, objections TO mil!tarism and are not en-
thusiastic about even the proposed pom
ular militia on the Swiss model.
, An exception to the general Socialis
attitude. however, is furnished by IN
Socialist War Minister, Gustav Nosks
| who has expressed tho opinion that /,
case OF an unfavorable peace, which h
anticipates. the army must as quickly a
posaible be brought to a state OF tn
highest efficiency for new war.
a beginning should be made. In tn
belief OF Herr Noske. with the develop
nent OF the militia and army side b
side. with which should go campalg
. for the hardening and strengthening o
the people by altering the school course
50 as TO give the coping generation
4 4 4