New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-03
Italy Rejects
Premier
For Indemnity
ENJOYS Refuse to Agree to
l2O Billion Marks Total
Until Their Share of
the Amount Is Fixed
Discussion Is Stormy
Council Adjourns Facing
Prospect of a Divided
Front at Spa Conference
By Ralph Courtney

Special Gable TO The Tribune
BRUSSELS, July 2-ltaly nearly
broke up to the Supreme Council this
afternoon by refusing to agree to a
hXation Of the amount of reparations
which Germany shall pay
After Premiers Lloyd George. Mil
lerand and Deavroix had held private
conversations they called in the rep-
resentatives of the Italian government.
headed by Count Sforza, Foreign Min
lister. The Premiers made the PROPOSAL
that the Allies revert to "a system of
forfeit fixing once and for all the
total sum which Germany must pay at
l2o'oo O'oOO,000 gold marks, payable in
annultles beginning at 100000, 900
e e and increasing gradually to 5,0OO,-
00O, 600 after few years.
The Italian delegates Immediately
arose and declared that Italy could not
agree to the fXation of the amount of
Germany's indemnity until decision
had been reached as to the amount
which She was to receive
Decision at Spa Forecast
After a somewhat stormy discussion.
during which the Italians maintained
Journed until to-morsow. Unless the
Allies can reach an agreement then it
will be impossible for them to present
united front to the Germans next
week at Spa.
NO confirmation was available to-
night from French and British semi
official sources of the differences Of
opinion which arose among the Allied
representatives.. In Italian officia! cir
cles the hope is expressed that to-mor-
row again will see the Allies in accord.
1t is reported that Italy insists that
she must receive a portion Of the Ger
man separations money equal to the
amount Of her Indebtedness abroad.
She owes the Allies, principally Amer
lea, about $5,000.000, 900. The Italians
complain that they normally should
have had large sums from the enemy
countries, Austria Hungary and Bull
garla, the countries against which the
brunt of their force was expended. but
it happens that Germany is the only
one OF the enemy countries which is
able to pay. The Italians believe that
they should receive naturalization
from the only enemy which can pay
the proportion Of indemnity which Ger
many's allies are unable to make good
The Italians appear to be particularly
ly displeased that England is in such
splendid financial position as COM
pared with Italy, while at the same
time Great Britain is receiving a so
much larger share of indemnity from
Germany.
German Refusal Expected
Meanwhile the prospect of the Ger
man delegates coming to Spa unreadv
to make serious proposals for the pay
ment of the indemnity was discussed
IN conference circles with concern.
Among the military there is no doubt
that Germany not only will fail to
come forward with an acceptable prop
osition, but will fatty decline to sub
scribe to the Allies requirements. Ex-
preston is even given to the question
whether the Allis will receive ANYTHING
at all from Germany.
Marshal Foch's comment on the sit
uation is: "lf some one asked YOU for
your shirt, would you give it?" When
you answer "No." he adds:
EN- bien, quot %
The Marshals opinion is that the
Germans will make the same reply
which, in ordinary English means:
eli, what are you going to do about
it?" 'N'N'
delegations pretend still to believe
there is hope that everything can be
arranged somehow, but all Of them
recognize the situation as serious.
Grave Complications Threatened
French and Belgian intentions to
seize the Ruhr coal fields in the event
the Germans oppose payment threaten
grave complications.
CT +, rlc =,
European peace settlement The French
and Belgian demands that thew be
allowed, as last resort, to pay them
selves with the German coal fields
opens many new problems. For in
stance, the question is asked, What
would happen to the large interests
which the British are said recently
to have acquired in the Ruhr Valley?
AS TO the questions of German dis
armament, discussed day by the Su-
preme Council, there is tendency TO
allow Germany little more time to de-
stfoy her material and disband her army
II therc should be serious need for this
delay. In granting the Germans more
time the Allied military advisers prob
ab!y VIII present Germany with new
detailed program Of progressive dis
arfnament by gwen dates, showing in
detail what particular act of disarma-
Mont should be accomplished in a spec
ls area or in regard to specific body
OF men by a determined date.
LONDON, July . (By The Associated
Press). A Reuter- dispatch from Brus-
sells says the hitch causing the post
ponement OF the conference was that
the discussions of Premier Delacroix of
Belgium, Premier Millerand Of France
and Premier Lloyd George Of Great
Britain revealed serious disagree
ment among them. The dispatch adds
that M. Delacroix went to the palacc