Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-04
Peace Conference Circles
Hear of His Visit to Coast
Defenses.
AUSTRIAN REPORT SAYS
TERMS UNACCEPTABLE
Germany's Offer to Pay Hundred
Billion Marks Indemnity
Surprises Experts.

TRAN government has decided
unanimously that the peace terms
presented at St. German on
Monday are unacceptable, the
Neues Abendblatt says.
By the Associated Press.
PARIS. June A report has
reached peace conference circles that
Gustav Noske, the German minister
of defense, recently made tour Of
the German coast defense, and di-
rected the personnel to be prepared
for emergencies
The council of four met this FORE
noon. Experts on. territorial ques-
tons and reparations met with the
council. 1t is understood that the
clauses of the Austrian peace treaty
dealing with reparations now have
been completed.
The council of foreign ministers met
this afternoon and considered again
the revision Of the treaty of 1889, re-
garding Belgian neutrality.
Peace Speculation Rife.
PARIS, June 3 (by the Associated
Press).-The atmosphere in peace
conference circles was full Of specu-
latfon today as to possible modifica-
tons in several clauses Of the treaty
with Germany, but nothing tangible
is expected to develop until the out
come of the joint meetings of allied
experts becomes known. It is ex-
pected that some of these meetings
VIII be held tomorrow. At the meet
ing of the council of four this after
noon President Wilson made another
effort to bring about an agreement
as to the principle Of the reply to the
German counter proposals, but the
meeting ended without an agreement.
1t Is understood that Premier Glenn
enceau matntains firm attitude
against any revision of the treaty.
The economic difficulties of Ger
| many as exposed in the counter pro-
posals to, the peace treaty are bling
seriously considered by the inter-
allied leaders. Acceptance OF the Ger
man counter OFFER of 100. GOO. 900, 900
provisions regarding siltaias to give
the Germans certftude OF receiving
the necessary amounts Of oca1 for East
German industry are, according to
reports in we'll informed quarters. the
most probable Of any changes in the
treaty should any concessions to the
German plea be made.
French Stand Firm.
German offer are found in the British
and American camps. while the French
representatives are inclined to stand
firmly upon the original proposal of
the total reparation fixed by the eco
nomfc commission and the collection
Of as much as it Is found possible to
collect in the course of subsequent
years by the commissions.
The proposed economic guarantees
regarding Silesia in the form which is
considered possible of acceptance
would not change the Polish frontiers.
merely give to the Germans a written
guarantee that they would obtain coal,
grain and other commodities which
It is expected will flow naturally to
the old markets in Germany, despite
ton has been at the base Of the in
terallied determinations regarding
Poland.
Huns Offer Surprises.
The offer of a hundred billion marks
by Germany surprised some Of the
entente financial experts, who all
along believed that the chances of
getting much more from Germany
were not particularly good. but who
now think that with some concessions
as to the payment OF interest, which
is not included in the German pro-
posal, the offer is perhaps acceptable.
These experts argue that from the
viewpoint of world credit arrange
ments it might be better to base the
future financial plans of the entente
governments upon a definite sum of
100, 900, 900, 900 marks voluntarily Of
fered than upon an indefinite assess
ment which the Germans might ac-
cept only under protest.
No attempt has been made among
the American delegates to disguise
their anxiety over the situation. The
commissioners. however. still hope
that the role Of mediators adopted by
them will prove successful in the
end.