Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-16
PREPARATION TO
SMALL POWERS
BIG QUESTION
Tentative Scheme Allows But
Fifteen Per Cent to Which
Objections Will Prob
ably Be Made.

Paris, April 15.-(By Associated
Press, 1.-The problem of repara-
ton settlements still has troublous
times before it in connection with
the question of the distribution Of
the war indemnity. Smaller powers
are still to be heard relative to their
shares of the reparation fund, par
ticularly Belgium, the claims of
which are entitled to first consider
alton under VARIOUS pre-conference
pledges.
/ The tentative scheme of distribu-
ton which Great Britain and
France have advanced apportions
between so and 90 per cent, prob
ably IS, of the total sum realized
to the big powers leaving perhaps
IS per cent to satisfy the demands
of Belgian, Italy, Serbia, Roumania,
Russia and others This is smaller
proportion than the secondary pow
ers expected. 1t has been suggested
among the experts on the repara-
tons commission that Roumania,
Serbia and other nations have re-
ceived reparations through the &C
QUESTION of territory, but this rea-
soning will scarcely appeal to Bel
GUM.
Pay Army Expenses.
A share of the reparations fund
will, according to the present UNI
Outstanding be assigned to Russia
for damage to invaded Russian ter
ritories, but probably will be turned
over to Great Britain and France
to apply on advances made to the
old Russian government during the
war.
Although the contributions pay
able by Germany are characterized
as reparations. very considerable
part of the first $5,0O0,0O0O00 will
not be available for reparatlon pur-
poses, since it has been assigned to
the payment of the expenses OF the
armies of occupation and such tood
supplies as must be furnished Ger
many. Since the occupation OF the
left bank of the Rhine will continue
during the entire two years covered
by this first payment, the expenses,
particularly of the French cocupa-
ton army will eat deeply into the
$5,000,000,
No announcement has been made
regarding the classes Of damages tor
which Germany is required to pay.
It can be stated, however, that the
five categories adopted comprise
reparation for actual damage to llte
and property; pensions for crippled
and families Of slain soldiers; COM
pensation for enforced labor exact
ed of inhabitants of occupied re-
gions, including work done by de-
ported Belgians; remuneration Tor
illegally exacted labor by prisoners
of war and payments for German
requisition in occupied territories.
Allow No Offset.
1t is understood that no offset has
been allowed Germany for the main
tenance of prisoners of war in Ger.
many during the war, the associated
governments holding that the prls-
oners were chiefly supported at their
own expense through food parcels
BY which alone the prisoners
were able to maintain existence
during captivity, and that the
surplus has been covered by work
the prisoners performed for Ger
many.
Another'financial question requir-
ing settlement between the allies is
that of repayment of advances made
by Great Britain and America to
the associated powers. A subcom-
mission was appointed to consider
this question, but the British and
American representatives have thus
far not participated in its delibera-
tionS.