Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-15
IBv the Associated Press ]


Paris April 15.-The problem Of re-
parations settlement still has troublous
times before it in connection with the
question of the distribution of the in
demnity to be paid by Germany.
Smaller powers which suffered under
German invasion and devastation are
still to be heard relative to their
shares of the reparation fund. parti-
cularly Belgium. the claims of which
are entitled to first consideration under
various preference pledges.
The tentative scheme of distribu-
tion which Great Britain and France
have advanced apportions between so
and 80 per cent-probably 50 per cent
of the total sum realized to- these
big powers, leaving Is per cent TO
satisfy the demands of Belgium. Italy,
Serbia. Roumania, Russia and others.
This is smaller proportion than the
secondary powers expected and tAey
are almost sure to be dissatisfied with
it. 1t has been suggested among the
experts on the reparations commits
sion that Roumania, Serbia and other
nations have been receiving repara-
tions thru the acquisition of territory,
but this reasoning will scarcely appeal
to Belgium.
Russia's Share Diverted.
A share of the reparations fund
will, according to the present under
standing, be assigned to Russia for
damage to invaded Russia 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. 80
Altho the contributions payable by
Germany are characterized as repara :
tions, a very considerable part of the
first S., ,D0O, 100000 will not be available
for reparation purposes, since it has
been assigned to the payment of the
expenses of the armies of occupation
and such food supplies as must be fur
nished Germany. Since the occupa-
tion of the left bank of the Rhine Will
continue during the entire two years
covered by the first payment, the ex-
penses, particularly Of the French
occupation army will eat deeply into
the s., O0,000,00O.
Damages Not Yet Defined.
No announcement has as yet been
made regarding the precise definition
Of the various 'categories" of repara-
tions. In other words there is no de-
finition of the classes Of damages for
which Germany is required to pay. IT
can be stated, "however. that the five
categories adopted comprise reparation
for actual damage to life and prop
crty; pensions for crippled and fam
lilies of slain soldiers; compensation
for enforced labor eXacted of inhabi
tants of occupied regions, including
work done by deported Belgians; re
enumeration for Illegally eXacted labor
by prisoners of war and payments foi
German acquisitions in occupied ter
fitory. 1T is understood that no offset
has been allowed Germany for the
maintenance of prisoners Of war In
Germany during the war, the >associat-
ed governments holding that the pris-
oners were chiefly supported at theil
own expense thru food parcels by
which also the prisoners were able to
maintain existence during captivity
and that the surplus has been covered
by work the prisoners performed fol
Germany.
France Forced to Yield Point.
hltho members of the commission
regard the reparations question as set
tied in the main, there are various de-
tails to be worked out, including a
scheme for German contributions OF
,.>1x, n ,f.,n nx,,r
ed articles for the restoration Of dew
s.stated districts. Discussions at meet
ings of the commission have beer
marked by a shifting tendency from
the principle initially advocated by the
French. Of leaving the exact sums to
be paid indefinitely for future deter
mination by our interallied commis-
sion, to a definite fixation Of all in
itial contributions. The change Of at
titude on the part of the French was
undoubtedly inspired by pressure from
parliament which demanded definite
knowledge Of what was to be received
from Germany.
Another financial question requiring
settlement between the allies is that
OF repayment OF advances made by
Great Britain and America to the as
sociated powers. A subcommission was
appointed to consider this question
but the British and American repre-
sentatives have thus far not partici- :
pated in its deliberations. This has
been apparently in anticipation Of dis
cussion which might deal with the
negative aspect of delaying or mitigat.
ing payments than actual considera-
ton Of repayments.
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