Omaha daily bee., 1920-07-12
German Representative Takes
Malignant Attitude in Effort
To Explain Situation to
Conference of Premiers.
SAYS PROTOCOL WILL
INCREASE DISORDERS
Declares Occupation of Ruhr
As Threatened Would Cause
Miners to Refuse to Work.
/ Doing All Possible Now.

Spa, July ll-Taking up Satur-
day the question of coal deliv-
cries from Germany, the allied con-
ference at the request of Konstan-
tin Fehrenbach. German chancellor,
agreed to hear Hugo SHINES. the
great coal operator. and Otto Hue,
president OF the German Miners
National association.
DR.. Walter Simons. German for
cign minister, said at the opening
Of the session that the men did
not represent the German govern
ment, but he thought it advisable
to hear two men so intimately con-
nected with coal production in Ger
many.
1t is the custom of the confer
ence for speakers to remain seated
but Herr SHINES stood up. He said
Il stand because | want to look
my adversaries in the eye"
Speech Considered Offensive.
This was the opening speech of
what the allied delegates considered
rather offensive speech, Premier
Delacroix of Belgium, who presid-
ed. on one occasion reminding
SHINES that his language was too
forceful. \
DR.. Sinons said afterward to the
correspondent he regretted SHINES
had used such violent and aggressive
language. SHINES said in sub.
stance:
THE military protocol, which the
Germans were requested to sign
July 7, will increase discomfort and
disorder in Germany. 1t will make
it more, difficult to maintain oul
coal production and will not help
Us to increase it.
Men Would Quit.
1T is all very we'll for you to.
tell as that unless our coal produc-
ton and deliveries to you increase
you, will occupy the Ruhf. l may
tell you that if you should expect
by occupation Of the Ruhr to obtain
more coal than you now do, you
would find yourselves mistaken.
Not only would you not get more
coal, but less, because the miners
would refuse to work. They are
doing now all they can with the
meager food With which they are
supplied.
Notwithstanding exhaustion from
lack df substantial food they work
three hours extra twice weekly to
increase production. You gentle
men cannot by an expression of your
will, merely give an order and in
crease our coal deliveries. That is
why, if practical results are to be
obtained, there must be an agree
ment among experts.
IN. Millerand said yesterday that
the Germans were accorded the
right to speak as matter of cour-
tesy. I claim to speak as a mat
ter of right and whoever is not af-
tlicted with the diseaselof victory"
Here NJ. Dclacroix interrupted
and said: "The object Of this con-
ference is to arrive at a peaceful
solution and / must therefore ask
Herr SHINES not to be provocative. "
Figures Wrong.
SHINES, resuming, said:
This conference is the ear
through which Europe could hear
the facts. That is why | wish to
speak. Without cooperation moth
ing can be done. Thai is why I
wish to speak as matter of right
and not one of privilege. | cannot
dispute M. Millerand's figures con-
cerning France, but his figures re-
garding Germany are quite wrong.
Germany has not produced 10 per
cent of its prewar coal and it is
not true that IS per cent of the
German iron industries are at work.
Il recognize that the French coal
situation is serious and although
the Versailles treaty was forced up
on Germany, every German en-
ployer and workman must strive to
help France as many of her mines
have been destroyed. although this
destruction was not wanton, but one
OF military7recessity.
Germany is reproached for not
living up to its coal obligations
under the treaty. As matter OF
fact, before the treaty was signed
Germany had voluntarily supplied
France with considerable quanti-
ties of coal. The Germans now
recognize that this act was dictated
by an unwarranted sentiment.
"The reparations commission is
now demanding 100000 tons per
annum. 1t is impossible to comply.
The Ruhr output in May was 220,-
600 tons per day. 1t has now
reached 2SS 600 tons This on the