The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-08
Huns at Spa Ask Is Months in
Which to DiSarm.
Compromise Allowing Si1
Months Is Now Expected.
GERMANY MUST FACE MUSIC
FOch Takes No Pains to Conceal
Threat to Germany.
Tells ENJOYS at Spa Allies
Ready to Enforce Pact.

Spa, Belgium, July s-Premi=r
Lloyd George, on behalf of the allies.
offered the Germans this afternoon to
extend to October the time for the
reduction of the German army to 15O,-
600 men, and until January 1, 1921,
to the 100000 men. provided by the
Versailles treaty, and also to allow the
Germans to retain certain troops in
the neutral zone temporarily.
Spa, Belgium, July s.-A compro-
mise with Germany on the time to be
allowed her for disarmament. fixing
the period at six months, looked to
be the probable outcome today of the
conferences among the allied dele
gates here. The Germans had asked
for fifteen months in which to dis
arm.
German and allied military officials
who discussed German disarmament
today reported to the conference that
they had been unable to reach a basis
Of agreement.
Premier Lloyd George curtly or
dered them to resume discussions.
1t was Tumored that Doctor Cess
ler, German minister of defense. had
offered his resignation to Chancellor
Fehrenbach but that he had recon
sidered upon receiving assurances that
the Germans would be allowed six
months in which to demobilize their
military forces.
Refers British TO ireland.
When Premier Lloyd George asked
the German foreign minister why one
million armed men and two million
rifles in Germany were still unac-
counted for, Herr Simons reminded
the British premier that many men
were armed in Ireland, despite orders
of the British government that they
disarm.
General Won Seeckt, chief of the
German general staff, declared if the
German army was materially re-
duced, it would be impossible to col
lect the rifles in the hands of sol
diers and former soldiers in outlying
districts.
General Won seeckt met with Mar
shal Foch today for discussion of
methods for demobilizing the German
forces. Results of the meeting will
be presented at this afternoons gen.
eral conference.
Face Many Difficulties.
Herr Simons declared the German
government was faced with three diff
ficulties-the distrust of the allies,
Bolshevisn, and the impossibility of
meeting financial conditions of the
peace treaty. He said Germany would
make every effort to meet her obliga-
tions under the treaty, and asked that
the allies continue occupation of neu-
trail zones.
Simons admitted that arms were
being smuggled into Germany. saying
all attempts to disarm volunteers had
failed. He said there were now
1850 trench mortars in Germany
which could be turned over to the
allies within one year.
He said the German effectives
could be reduced to 10000 men by
October 10. 1920; to 10000 by jan
uary, 1921; to 10000 by April; to
10000 by July. and to 100000 by
October, 1921. He requested that Ger
many be permitted to retain 800 sur
geons. 750 additional military Off
GERS. and $4,000 rifles in excess of the
treaty terms.
RevoIts Still Threaten.
In concluding the conference, Sim
/ ons said Germany was still facing the
possibility of a dangerous revolution
from two sides. radicals and monarch
lists.
Marshal Foch said Significantly
that if the German delegation here
was not willing to face the music, the
allies still had strong force under
arm which could enforce the treaty
/ terms.
Berlin Secs Crisis.
! Berlin. July S.-The German pres:
was practically unanimous today il
the belief that critical situation haC
/ arisen at the Spa conference.
/ The Vorwaerts expressed the opin
ion that the allies apparently would
rather hear the Germans confess Ger
many's weakness than hear excuses
The LokaI Anzeiger said: The al
lies are playing the game dishonesty
Chancellor Fehrenbach will have th'
, whole German people behind him 4
| he refused to continue negotiation
which are contrary to the German
conception of honor"