Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-07

Paris. April :. - The peace
conference commission on rep
aratiOn and damage today
adopted a provisional report
upon the various forms of dam
age and the methods OF vaEua-
ton. The report was presented
by the first sub committee of the
commission.
Paris. April 7.-CBy the Associ-
Nated Press.) - The preliminary
pAce treaty will be ready by Eas-
ter 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 Bri-
tain declared in an interview today
with Stephane Lauzanne, editor of
the Matin.
In answer to a remark by NJ
Lauzanne that what troubled pub
lie opinion was not SO much the
delay as the secrecy in which the
peace negotiations were wrapped
and the fear that there was some
divergence of opinion, the British
premier said:
II affirm absolutely that there is
no divergence among the negoti-
ators. They are often confronted
with technical difficulties which
can only be settled after close
study.
Question Of Reparations.
Take the question of repara-
tions In substance the allies have
one common principle. which ]
once set forth thus: Germany
must pay up to the last farthing Of
her power.
But is it 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 forms of delayed pay
ments2 Must we not be able to say
to our adversary when he pleads
1nadeauacy of resources: Yes.
Eeu can go as far as that and you
must do it and you must do that
I'm a word. shall we simply pre-
sent a 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 ex-
perience are not in agreement
among themselves either as to the
methods of liquidation or as to the
assets to be realized
Experts at Variance.
NO. there is no divergence
among the negotiators, but. alas
there are inevitable ones among
the experts. often among those
from the same country. Who is to
decide between them if not the ne
gotiators. and do you think it can
always be done quickly"
NJ. Lauzanne remarked that
what public opinion could not un-
derstand was why. before every
N,hine. Germany was not handed
full bill, no matter what amount,
and forced to admit full liability.
And who says we shall not do
so?" cried Premier Lloyd George.
who says we have not decided
that -
NO one" the interviewer inter
rupted. has said that you have
decided it
People Must Wait.
Cannot the people wait until we
have finished our work instead of
always wanting to judge our in
tentions? This conference had to
meet and discuss things under con-
ditions unprecedented in history.
All eyes are turned toward and,
what is more grave. all ears are
glued at its keyhole. Enemy ears
trembIe with joy when they detect
some hesitation. Friendly ears
half hear confused rumors, which
are peddIed far and quickly.
THE day does not pass but what !
some &alse news here and there
takes it fight. Nevertheless no /
day passes but that we in silent !
deliberation feel approaching near /
or the great aim and experience for
each other more esteem. confidence /
and affection. Let public opinion (
wait a few days. 1t will then be !
able TO pronounce on facts. not ru-