The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-15
PREPARATION
FOR SMALLER
NATIONS YET
UNDECIDED
Claims of Belgium Still to be
Heard by Council = Big
Powers Get IS Percent OF
Damage Assessment.
RUSSIA TO GET SHARE
(By Associated Press)

PARIS, April 15.-The problem OF
reparations settlements still has trou-
blesome times before it, in connection
with the question Of distribution OF
the indemnity 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. partic-
ularly Belgium. the claims of which
are entitled to first consideration un-
der various pre-conference pledges.
The tentative scheme OF distribu-
tion which Great Britain and France
have advanced apportions between 80
and 80 percent, probably IS Of the to-
tai sum realized to the three big pow
ers, leaving perhaps Is percent to sat
isfy the demands Of Belgium, Italy,
Serbia, Rumania, Russia and others.
This is smaller proportion than the
secondary powers expected and they
are almost sure to be dissatisfied with
it. 1t has been suggested among the
experts on the reparations commits
sion that Rumania, Serbia and other
nations have received reparations
through the acquisition Of territory
but this reasoning will scarcely appeal
to Belgium.
A share Of the reparations fund will.
according to the present understand
ing, be assigned to Russia for damage
to invaded Russian territories but
probably will be turned over to Great
Britain and France to apply on ad
vances made to the old Russian gov
ernment during the war.
Payment for Army Expenses.
Although the contributions payable
by Germany are characterized as re-
parations, very considerable part of
the first $5,o00,000,000 will not be
available for reparation purposes,
since it has been assigned to the pay
ment of the expenses OF the armies Of
occupation and such food supplies as
must be furnished Germany. Since
the occupation Of the left bank of the
Rhine will continue during the entire
two years covered by this first pay
ment, the expenses, particularly OF the
French occupational army will eat
deeply into the $4,000, 100000.
No announcement has as yet been
made regarding the precise defini-
ton Of the various "catagories" of rep
definition of the classes Of damages
for which Germany is required to pay.
1t can be stated, however, that the
five categories adopted comprise rep
aration for actual damage to life and
property; pensions for cripples and
the families of slain soldiers; compen-
sation for enforced labor Of inhabi-
tants of occupied regions; including
work done by deported Belgians; re-
muneration for illegally exacted labor
by prisoners Of war and payments for
German acquisitions in occupied ter
ritories. 1t is understood that no Off
set has been allowed Germany for the
maintenance of prisoners Of war in
Germany during the war, the asso-
ciated governments holding that the
prisoners were chiefly supported at
their own expense through food par
cells by which alone the prisoners
were able to maintain existence dur
ing captivity and that the surplus has
been covered by work the prisoners
performed for Germany.
Details to Be Worked Out.
Although members of the commits
sion regard the reparation question as
settled in the main, there are various
uSIdllS u U0 WOThGu OuI, luCluOluS d
clause for German contributions Of la
Dor, raw materials and manufactured
articles for the restoration Of devas-
tated districts. Discussion at meet
ings of the commission have been
marked by shifting tendency from
the principle initially advocated by
the French, of leaving the exact sums
to be paid indefinite for future deter
mination by an inter-allied commits
sion to a definite fixation of all initial
contributions. The change Of attitude
on the part Of the French was un-
doubtedly 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 Of Great
Britain and America to the associated
powers. A sub-commission was ap-
pointed to consider this question, but
the British and American representa-
tives have thus far not participated
in its deliberations. This has been
apparently in anticipation of discus
sion which might deal more with the
negative aspect Of delaying or miti-
eating payments than actual consid-
Grafton of actual payments.
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