New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-08
Entente Refuses to Allow
Fifteen More Months in
Which to Destroy Can
non and Machine Guns
Limit of Three
Months Is Fixed
Internal Conditions Made
Basis of Germans Plea
for Extension of Time

Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
SPA, Belgium, July THE Allied
Premiers have decided that instead
of fifteen months in which to disarm,
asked by the German delegates at
the conference to-day, only three
months at the outside will be al
lowed. When the Premiers meet the
Germans tomorrow they will inform
them Of this inexorable decision.
Speaking on behalf of the Allied
governments, Premier Lloyd George
at to-day's meeting told the German
delegates that their request for fif-
teen months was "intolerable."
The tone Of to-day's session was
more cordial than yesterdays. Pre-
mier Lloyd George as spokesman laid
aside his severe manner of yesterday.
The German delegates based their de-
mand for fifteen months more time in
which to demobilize and disarm on the
danger Of Bolshevism, saying the dis
charged officers and wen would swell
the ranks of the disconnected elements.
The Germans also contended that the
rifles and ammunition could not be de-
llvered, as the population had hidden
these.
Hidden Munitions a Menace
Premier Lloyd George said he un-
derstood the German difficulties. He
said the existence of such large
quantity of arms and ammunition
menace to the whole Of Europe. He
said he no longer feared the menace
OF German reactionaries, but was
much concerned about the spread Of
Bolshevism. He said he felt strongly
the necessity of recovering the hidden
arms and ammunition.
France dealt with her Commune
after 1871; why cannot you do the
same" he asked the Germans.
The German Premier replied that
they had used all kinds of persuasion,
including offers Of rewards, without
success. They had not yet considered
manded to know why possession of
arms had not been made criminal
Offense.
The German delegates withdrew for
consultation, and on returning to the
meeting declared themselves now will
ing to advocate the use of force to re-
cover the hidden arms.
The British Premier criticized Cen
eral Won Seecht's figures and army es-
Inmates and it was left to the military
experts to come to some agreement
about these.
Have Reconstruction Plan
Although the Germans came to Spa
unprepared to make any Preparations
proposals, they have now changed their
minds. This developed to-day when
delegates arrived with a scheme in
their pockets for reconstructing the
devastated regions of Northern France.
They now declare that if their plan
can be incorporated in the general in
demnity scheme an arrangement may
be b! possible. They are anxious that the
indemnity payments should be based
on an index figure system, the pay
ments rising and falling with German
prosperity.
The Germans also are proposing that
the Allies should set up council of
ambassadors in Berlin similar to the
one sitting in France.
Hugo SHINES, the German coal ex-
pert, arrived at Spa to-day to discuss
the coal situation. The plan Of the
Allies for dealing with the German
coal output includes setting up COM
mission of control in Berlin to regu-
late distribution. The German expert
contended that the order Of the Allies
titles of coal to the Poles interfered
with delivery of the amount required
by the treaty.
The Germans also propose to de-
mand settlement of the question Of
Upper Silesia.
SPA, Belgium, July (By The As
ISOLATED Press).-Dr. Simons, the Ger
man Foreign Minister, expressed the
opinion after to-day's session that
the crisis had not yet passed. The only
moment when there was any bitterness
shown at this afternoons session was
when Premier Lloyd George said rather
inpatiently: "You only have to make
it." :
To this Simons replied: ri wish to
remind the honorable gentleman that
there are parts of the British Empire
in which there are laws concerning the
keeping Of arms by subjects, which the
British Empire is unable to enforce"
The Allied demand is for immediate
destruction of 10000 cannon, which
the Allied commissioners In Germany
have under guard, together with 3d.
900 machine, guns. Germany desires
to destroy the guns at the rate Of
1000 month. The Allies hold that
this is not sufficiently rapid and ex-
press fear that the machine guns will
fall into the hands OF insurrectionis.s.
The German Minister of Defense,
Herr Gessler, during recess of the
conference said to the German news.
paper men: tIf we are compelled to-
disarm then it must be done. But we
will not be responsible for internal
order in Germany"
Milierand declared to the correspond.
ent 1t was most essential that there be
complete accord among the Allies,
and that Germany had found that sac-
cord existed. The first evidence Of
this, the French Premier said, was
when the Allies declined to discuss
disarmament in the absence Of the re-
sponsible, German authorities.
'Thsn whom asked to fix date for
disatnament, /" said NJ. Miilsrand,
tcssansad - pass tasr1