New-York tribune., 1919-05-28
Pay as We Go
Copyright 1919 New York Tribune Incl
By Wilbur Forrest
Special Correspondent of The Tribune

, man government, through the Spa assem-
bly,, for much money as he deems neces-
sary for the expenses of the army of
occupation. On April IL Berlin had turned
to the chief quartermaster POS, 900 900
marks. On May II another 100, 900, 900
were forthcoming. In addition to this the
sale of German army property found in the
American area to date has netted about
100000 marks.
An American board of officers, appointed
to appraise rent values and values of all
kinds, headed by Major Zautner, estimates
that German civilians are entitled to
, approximately twenty million marks
month for the entire five months during
which the American army has occupied
the Rhineland This allows any civilian
who possesses army paper to cash it at
at the office of the quartermaster
department. The army pays a fiat rate of
two marks a bed for ordinary billeting,
and all the way from two to one thousand
marks each day for other requisitions
Food and supplies mount to high figures
and it costs between 65,00O,0OO and 78,OOO.-
600 marks alone to pay the army's monthly
salary roll.
The Tribune correspondent was informed
to-day at the chief quartermasters office
in Cobenz that there are ample marks on
hand to pay the general expenses of the
army, its monthly salary and all obliga-
tions in cash for some time to come. When
funds run low another cash requisition will
be made on the German government Thus
far the German government has paid all
acquisitions without question.
Our Lodgings
Of all the cities, towns and villages of
the American area Coblenz perhaps offers
the most interesting example of the change
from the paper slip to the cash basis On
the original theory that the German gov
ernment would fix valuation for rentals
and pay the bills when 1t got ready, such
big buildings as the Coblenz Feste Halle
were requisitioned by the American
authorities without any set price The
\. M. c. A. moved into the Feste Halle
and created welfare, amusement and eat
ing centre for American soldiers Manv
other buildings were taken over for the
Y. M. {. A, including the Metropole Hotel
and a couple of other hostleries, a couple
- d.
mnlstration purposes. The Red Cross
established storehouse or two and ample
quarters. The Knights of Columbus reoui
sltloned bakery, two clubs for officers
and enlisted men. The Y w. C. A. estab-
hshed itself in big building on the main
Platz near the Kaisers palace and opened
the Hostess House. The Jewish Welfare
Board and the Salvation Army each found
strings of amusement billets for the
doughboys.
The army itself requstioned the Casino
the most elaborate civilian club in Rhenisb
Prussia. 1t took over two big hospitals
Prussian counts mansion on the Rhine
for the commanding general, somewhat less
portentous residences for other high armv
officers. fleet Of patrol boats on the Rhine
private steamer for the general. another
fleet OF excursion steamers for the troons
many buildings of all varieties, includ;nr
the Coblenzer Hof. one of the most modern
and comfortable hotels in Rhensh pruss;.
The army issued paper slips for its every