The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-23


Coal offered TO France.
The Cabinet is said to have stood
firm on its previous declaration that
the peace delegation should stand
solidly on the fourteen points and
the basis of the League Of Nations.
Counter proposals are TO be made to
the Saar Valley matter that fullest
naturalization will be made to
France, leaving the valley politically
and economically German. 1t Is I'M
derstood that an offer to mine and
furnish TO France coal for period
Of years, or enough TO compensate for
the lossee due to the wrecking Of the
French mines.
There Is even less inclination to
compromise on the Danzig and Sile-
sian questions.
There is a difference of opinion as
to the amounts France and Belgium
should have for reparation for dam
age done. but information from cir
cles close to the Government ia to the
effect that the Germans believe they
will be called upon to pay $4,000, ooo,-
900 for these items alone. They de-
clare it is utterly out Of the question
for Germany to pay this amount.
even If she were willing to do so. The
German Delegation to Paris will
have staggering mass of figures with
which to counter the French and Bel
GUM claims. Army accountants have
been working for months, it is as
serted, checking up on these losses.
1t is said there Is a record Of every
machine taken or smashed, and a rec
ord of every requisition from those
districts since the beginning of the
war.
1t is understood by the German del
e9ation that the Wilson points call for
reparation. not indemnity, therefore
that they should pay only for the
actual loss. In the famous linden
burg retirement from the Somme they
have figured large part OF that Sec
ton as 100 per cent. loss, including
even the price Of the land.
The Germans figure the Belgian
losses at 81, 00O. 900. 900 and France be-
tween $4,000, 900. 900 and $2,250, 900, 900.
Then comes the British and American
claims, which they say can be signed
with any prospect of eventually pay
ing off. These claims they place at
S5,00O,000.00O gold.
AS showing the impossibility OF
paying these claims or even part of
them Immediately, the Germans say
that OF the SIZE, 100000 necessary for
bringing in food they have been able
TO raise SO far only s37,50O.0 900.
Plan for Meeting Charges.
The Government, it is said, cannot
accept an indictment or verdict of
German guilt for causing the war.
because it Is a principle OF all law
that the acCusers cannot sit as a
court. The Government takes the
stand that Germany unheard cannot
be convicted. They will propose.
therefore, that this question be left to
court OF neutrals.
That peace will be signed in eig hit
days is not taken seriously by the
Germans. who say ii is wholly out OF
the question. AS they picture II
President Wilson or Premier Gle
menceau will read to the German dele
cation the main terms. Count Won
Brockdorff, Pantzau. the Foreign Min
lister. win then answer in brief
speech, and he will then determine
whether the terms will be Immediately
rejected or whether the delega ton will
return to Berlin with the terms. II
opportunities to negotiate are denied
the delegation win return to Berlin
Immediately.
1t is asserted that the Cabinet has
debated the consequences OF reject
| ing the terms, one OF which probably
would be the immediate resignation OF
| the Cabinet and the formation OF a
, communistic Cabinet in its place on a
| modified Soviet basis, and perhaps a
| declaration of national bankruptcy.
| Fully realizing the weakness OF q
coalition government in such a crisis
with> the most aggressive element
outside, negotiations have been coins
on with Il view TO inducing the indie
| pendents to fix conditions for the re
| tirement of some of the presen
leaders. The Independents, however
profess belief that the present Gov
eminent will not last beyond the mid
die of May, and that a Hasse Cabine
will follow, including Ernst Daumi,
and several others of the extrem,
radicals.
| is singular that of all thos
talked of for places in the Cabinet no
one has expressed belief that an &C
ceptable peace can be obtained. On,
member OF the Government. aske,
! hi en-, -l,t