The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-12
COAL DELIVERIES
PROBLEM DELAYS
SESSIONS At SPA
Allied Delegates Unable to
Agree on ReparationS Plan
and General Meeting of
Conference Is Postponed.

ana General Meeting OF
Conference Is Postponed.
SPA, Belgium, July 12 CBy the Asso-
ciated Press) DIFFERENTIATION of the al
he'd German conference here for an
other day or two and possibly longer
seemed probable oday because Of the
lhabillty of the conference so far TO
reach an agreement over the question
OF coal deliveries by the Germans and
the reparations plan in general
am not returning to Paris for the
national fete of July a." said Premier
meeting held by the premiers without
the presence of the German delega tes.
am going to stay and fight this
thing out"
The allied premiers, after this meet
ing, countermanded the special trains
they had ordered for this evening and
tomorrow and 1t appeared the confer
esnce would likely continue until Thurs
day at least
The morning meeting of the premiers
took the place of what had been ex-
pected to be fun session Of the con-
ference. The Germans were at first
informed that the full meeting had
been postponed until afternoon, but
later the allied premiers decided "a
invite Chancellor Fehrenbach and For
eign Minister Simmons to meet them
thls afternoon in n restricted confer
delegates.
The allied premiers. who met at 1890
O'Clock this morning to discuss the Ger
man reparattonS proposition and the
question of priority in coal deliveries
from Germany. The general conference
was scheduled to sit at 1880 o'clock
put Chancellor Fehrenbach and his col
leagues, who had arrived with a numer-
Gus staff. were informed in the ante
room by the secretary of the confer
ence that the full meeting had been
postponed until afternoon.
The allied ministers, it appears, are
not very favorably impressed bv the
German reparations plan. The pre-
yailing view, the correspondent was in
formed, was that the plan was some
what indefinite on the essential points
proposal in Reserve.
It is understood the German delegates
nave In reserve another plan, or amend
ment, OF much greater Importance than
the plan submitted yesterday The plan
now before the conference is consider
ed substitute for this original plan
which the Germans are Withholding, be-
ing unwilling to disclose the original
proposition because they were not given
satisfaction on the coal question,
Premier Lloyd George, who was
slightly indlsposed yesterday, was pres
miers.
Germany can fulfill future engage.
ments only If they are based on hel
financial capacity, said the state.
ment outlining the Berlin government's
pan Tor reparations submitted to the
a3led premiers last night The
eermsn budget must balance, the state
ment insisted, or there would be a rapid
increase in the floating debt and conse
quent imitation that would neutraizt
ner capacity to pay. There must also
" was asserted, be no further diminu.
ton IN the fundamental bases of Ger.
man political economy, which are al.
ready much weakened
Assuming that Germany's ability tc
pay Is used as basis, the statement
asked that reparation obligations be
expressed In annuities, the minimum OF
which would be fixed, and the obligation
TO pay such annuities limited to &c
years. Stipulation was made that the
minimum of the annuities be fixed ac-
cording to Germany's financial capaci-
ueS, and therefore comprise all obliga-
tons in money and kind, according to
the treaty of Versailles This would
relate, especially to the undertaking ia
pay the expenses of the armies of oc-
cupation which are to be covered partly
by money and partly in kind, which,
must, in principle, be accredited accord
ing to universal market prices Re
quest also was made that the allies fix
the maximum sum due for reparat tions
after payment of which Germany would
be free from any obligations.
Can't Foretell Development.
AS the economic development of the
next 30 years can not be foretold the
worked out by which the allied govern
ments would participate in the i'm
provemetn of financial and economic
conditions in Germany
Experts from allied nations and Ger
many should meet as soon as possible
the statement said, to fix the amounts
OF the annuites to be paid and to pass
on the securities to be demanded Ger
many's sovereignty in financial matters
must not be infringed upon in decisions
regarding this feature of adjusting rep
arations payments.
These experts should also fix the
minimum sum to be paid the allies by
Germany.
Material which Germany is to deliver
to the allies under the peace treaty for
reconstruction of devastated regions
should be specified by the reparations
commission, the statement declared, and
its value should be credited to Ger
many.
1t was said the Berlin government
had thus far received only lists OF
claims from the allies Tor the purpose
of observation. These lists had been
closely examined and suggestion was
made that negotiations between Ger
many and the reparatiOns commission
should begin in the, near future to de-
eide which deliveries can definitely be
demanded, and which, in view Of Ger
many's economic position, can not be
executed.
After declaring Germany was ready
because of her concern as to future
peace, to undertake to assist in the re-
construction of devastated regions, the
statement made uggestiOns for the or
ganization of colonization scheme by
which those who suffered from the war
could start life anew. When the work
of reConstructing homes, rebuilding
roads and restoring farms is completed
the plan would permit people formerly
resident in the affected regions to re-
turn to their homes, or people from
other parts of the war zone could move
to new regions
If this plan should be accepted in
principle, the statement said, a confer.
ence should be held to consider Its
practical execution.