Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-07
100000 FORCE
Necessary for Order
Germans Insist
Military, Naval and Aerial Clauses
OF Versailles Treaty Before Allied
Sreniers ar Spa Herr Gersfer
Fears Release or Haif Standing
Army

Spa. Belgium. July BY the As
soclated Press The question Of exc
cution of the military, naval and aerial
clausesof the Versailles treaty was
taken up Immediately after the formal
meeting Of the Allied premlers with
the representatives OF Germany began
at $50 this afternoon.
The German minister Of defense.
Herr Gessler explained the German
situation n support of the contention
Of the German government that II
must have an armed force Of zoo 10G
men 20 maintain order IN the republic.
He said there was little difference
whether the force was labelled army
or police. He said the men We're under
control Of the central government.
Her Gessier Insisted that the allied
plan FOR 10000 police broken up into
small bodies under local control and
without coordination was insufficient
TO deal with the present situation n
Germany, which. he said. resembied
somewhat that existing after the
Thirty Years War Armed bands n
various paris Of the country were phi
laying ami killing; they were armed
not only with ordinarv weapons. but
with machine guns which they kn1w
how 10 use.
These bands. continued he minister.
were so forrnl dabie that they could
only be dealt with by considerable
forces that could nake 4 combined
movement against them. Only last
week band Of 20 or - issued from
the Pomeranlan forest. ra.fing the sur
-uunding counrr,- and villages y
smaller force of police met the band
hut was defeated.
Thes.. bands. said Herr Gessler. ar
centrally organized and directed; they
are financed by the Bclshcvlki and II
Germany were TO muster out of her
arm len. o0a men, It vas possible tha-
many IT them would enter the pay Of
the BoIshevIki.
How can YOU feel tllac central or
ganlzed bands can be dealt with BY
police force that is not centrally or
sanized and directeG2'' ne asked. IL
takes. II England. i00, 600 men 70 Ioid
Ireland
After Herr GessIer, Or. Sinons. tho
foreign minister. added some remarks
On the difficulties which might result
from the DreclpltuIs rehabilitation II
a large number OF men from the EGG
nome viewpoint.
u. De Ia Crolx. the Belgian premier
anu Premier Lloyd-Ieorge insisted up
On the neces sity of@the Germans liking
an early and precise date for the exc
=
George even suggested that IN the alb
senca OF j precise statement from the
Germans It might be preferable 20
close the conference.
Finally L was decided after an ex-
plantation BY Chancellor Fehrenbacn.
VINO assured the conference Of the pa
cttic Intentions or the German people.
TO adjourn until O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon 70 hear the precise reply
from the Germans.
The German ministers are N ses-
sion tonight at a villa three miles
from Spa. which IS picketed by gem
darues. Another meeting of Ger
mans Will be held tomorrow morn
ing. DR. Simons said 20 the Asso-
ciated Press this evening:
We 90 not yer KNOW what we
will do. The situation is too serious
10 me TO make a comment on II. I
would rather you did not press me-
The opinion among observers IS
that the Germans will present
plan. The German delegates do not
appear unwilling for their people 10
see how difficult the position IS.
The most dramatic moment Of the
session was when Premier Lloyd
George said:
II DO not believe that the Ger
mans intend TO execute the treaty
The German foreign minister I'M
mediatelv interrupted. saying:
You have no right to make any
such remark We are trying 70
execute the treaty