Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-07-08
TENSE Moment At
SPA CONFERENCE
Positive Demand Is Made to Re-
luctant Germans to Present
Plan for Disarmament-Re-
ply Is Expected Soon

| the peace treaty breaks UP tomorrow de-
ponds upon whether the Germans present
! a plan for disarmament the immediate
reduction Of the German army from 200
900 to 100000 men and the surrender Of
upwards Of 100000 rifles in the hands Of
the people. as we'll as other arms.
! Premier Lloyd George. speaking for the
| allied governments at to-days session,
presented what may be called an ultima
tum. but which DR.. Simons. the German
foreign minister termed "a very positive
| demand"
! The German ministers are in session to-
night at A. villa three miles from Spa,
(which is pioketed by gendarmes. Another
meeting of the Germans will be held to-
| morrow morning. Dr. Simons said to the
Associated Press this morning:
I'VE do not yet know what we will do.
The situation is too serious for me to
make comment on 1t. would rather
you did not press me
The impression among observers is that
the Germans will present a plan. The
German delegates do not appear unwill-
ling for their people to see how difficult the
position is.
The most dramatic moment OF the SEES
sion was when Premier Lloyd George said:
IT do not believe that the Germans in
ltend to execute the treaty.
The German foreign minister immedi-
lately interrupted. saying You have
no right to make any such remark We
are trying to execute the treaty.
Chancellor Fehrenbach, invoking the
name Of the Creator. cried I'VE are
loyalty trying to execute the treaty.
Spa Belgium. July 5. (by the
Associated Press)-The question Of
execution of the military. naval and
aerial clauses of the Versailles treaty
was taken up Immediately after the
formal meeting of the allied premiers
with the represe natives OF Germany
began at 400 o'clock this afternoon
The German minister of defense.
Herr Gessler, explained the German
situation in support Of the contention
Of the German government that 1t must
have an armed force Of 100000 men
to maintain order in the republic. He
, said there was little difference whether
, the force was labelled army or police
, provided the men were under control
OF the central government.
Herr Gessler insisted that the allied
plan for 100000 police broken up into
, small bodies under local control and
, without coordination, was insufficient
to deal with the present situation ir
Germany, which he said. resembled
somewhat that existing after the 80
years war Armed bands in variou:
parts of the country were pillagine
and killing: they were armed not only
= with ordinary weapons. but with ma
chine guns which they knew how tc
use.
These bands. continued the minister
were so formidable that they could onl,
!. be dealt with by considerable forces tina
: could make a combined movement agains
Q them. Only last week a band of 80 OIL
$ 60 issued from the Pomeranian forest, raid
t ing the surrounding country and villages
h A smaller force Of police met the band
t but was defeated.
n These bands, said Herr Gessler, arr
a centrally organized and directed; the!
n are financed by the Bosheviki. and i
Germany were to muster out her arm!
It to 100 900 men. it was possible that man!
y Of them would enter the pay of the Bol
,sheviki.
How can you feel that centrally or
ganized bands can be dealt with by
hostile force that is not centrally organ
lied and directed" he asked. 1T take
England 10000 men to hold Ireland"
After Herr Gessler. DR.. Simons. the for
eign minister. added some remarks on tn
difficulties which might result from tn
precipitous rehabilitation Of larg
"a NUMBER OF men from tHe eCoHo1lic view
- point.
=" NJ. Delecrox, the Belgian premier. an
. Premier Lloyd George insisted upon tn
70 necessity Of the Germans fixing an earl
'e and precise date for the execution of tn
treaty Mr.. Lloyd George even suggeste
~ that in the absence of a precise state
:, ment from the Germans it might be prefer
" able to close the conference.
&c Finally 1t was decided after an explar
alton by Chancellor Fehrenbach. who as
sured the conference Of the Pacific inter
tons OF the German people. to adjour
until four o'clock tomorrow afternoon, I
hear the precise reply from the German'
y The official communicate respecting tn
discussions says:
THE conference heard Herr Gessler an
DR.. Simons who invoked the economic si
uation in justification Of the delays
" the execution of the treaty and the in
n nossibly of disbanding too rapidly troor
At who would swell the ranks of the unen
r. ployed.
III MI Lloyd George requested the Gel
man delegates to furnish certain detail
10 at the next sittings and after Chancell'
ot Fehrenbach had assured the conferen'
,e of the peaceful and non-revengeful sent
st ments OF the German people. the col
lie fAranca adi,urned until Wednesday,