Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-26
PREPARATION PLANS
stumbling BLOCK
TOALL|ED HARMONY
French Propose New Series
Of Conferences; Broke Faith
! at Spa, British Say.
By PAUL SCOTT MowRER.

BY Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1920.
PARIS, October 2S.-Franco-B British
relations have improved considerably
within the last month. Agreement has
been re-established regarding both
Poland and Hungary. French and
British EXPERTS have collaborated in
drafting a convention regarding Po-
lands relation to Danzig, while in
Silesia the British have recalled sew
eral of their representatives and have
q bsolved the French representative,
Gen. Lerond, from blame for trouble
there.
There remains, however. as a serious
stumbling block the question of repa-
cations. The British consider that in
refusing to attend the projected meet
ing with the German delegates at
Geneva to fix the total indemnity, as
was agreed at Spa, the French have
broken faith. The French point of
view in this matter has been COM
pletly misunderstood abroad.
Two Systems Proposed.
Two systems of PREPARATIONS are be-
fore the French people. One-that of
integral reparation-is backed by Glenn
enceau. Tardieu, Poincare, and probably
a majority in both the chamber of dep
Uties and the senate. The other is the
so-called forfeiture system. in which
France agrees to reduce the total figure
of the indemnities in return for
promise that in case of default the
allies shall have the right to occupy the
Euhr basin. seize the Germans custom
houses and railways and collect the
payments themselves. President Mil
lerand favors the latter system and
spoke for it at San Reno, Brussels and
Spa. his argument being that it is bet
ter to be sure of a reduced amount than
TO insist upon the just dues and lose the
support of the allies.
At Boulogne. NJ. Millerand admitted
s. 1000, 100000 marks in gold (s21.250.-
900, 00O), payable in forty-two annuities
plus per cent interest, as a possible
figure. At San Reno he had conceded to
Britain all of the French oil interests.
At Spa he agreed to reduce the
French share in the total reparations
that Britain should have the right to
devote the proceeds from the 2.00e.-
600 tons of German shipping now in
Britain's hands, first to defraying the
expenses of the British army of oc-
cupation. and then. as an installment
in the British share of the repara-
lions.
Think Concessions Excessive.
Millerand further agreed to meet
the Germans at a conference to be
held in Geneva. and settle the final
figures, but when he returned to Paris
he was greeted with storm of op-
position from the legislature and the
newspapers. The French people al
most unanimously feel that these con-
cessions are excessive. The argument
of Clemenceau, Tardieu, Poincare and
their strong following is that.
whereas Britain and the United States
had their own way in the peace con-
ference, France was obliged to make
concessions in return for an Anglo
American guarantee of the pact. The
failure of the United States to ratify
the treaty, they contend. automatic
ally nuilifies the pact and vitiates the
reasons which led France to make the
concessions. In addition. Britain de-
mAnds still further concessions.
Want New Conferences.
This is regarded by the French as in
tolerable. If Germany is in such
need" asks NJ. Tardieu, why does not
Britain give back some of the German
colonies and the merchant fleet? Why
should we be the only ones always to
this opposition, NJ. Millerand felt
obliged to drop the negotiations, and
the whole question has been reopened
Remaining, nevertheless, convinced of
the necessity of finally adopting the
forfeiture system, President Millerand
proposed to Britain series of confer
ences which will agai: tend in this
direction, but will cover Millerand's
personal responsibility under the cloak
of a reparationS commission. Negotia-
tions on this new set of proposals are
now under way.
1t is probable that President Mil