Evening star., 1920-07-04
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.


obstreperous German delegates CON
fer with allied premiers at Spa during
the present week
This conference will prove epochal
For upon the course of allied states
men and actions of Germany's dele
gates. the fate of the very soul of the
treaty of Versailles rests.
Whether Germany is to benefit by
modification of the stringent terms
and burdens placed upon her during
the Paris conference. or whether the
allies. with their increasing domestic
and foreign problems, will dare to
pursue course of firm insstence
upon strict compliance with peace
provisions. are the two great ques-
tions that undoubtedly will be an
swered in measure during the forth
coming deliberations.
Furthermore, the CULTS that have
appeared between the allies may be
either widened or bridged during the
course of the conference For even
though Premier Millerand of France
announced that France and Great
Britain are in thorough accord on the
enforcement of the treaty of peace.
those conversant with conditions and
the diplomatic trend of the Paris and
London foreign Offices. well realize
that the premier is extremely optl-
mistic.
Conditions Chaotic.
Conditions in Germany are chaotic.
The allies do not care. except IN tnat
such conditions may affect the nnan- :
cial awards that the allies have LEVIED
(rermany
industries are reviving, but political
conditions have had such disturbing
effect upon industrial revival tnat
Germany, it is admitted, cannot e4 .
pect to pay the vast indemnities that
have been agreed upon by the aliies
with present resources
Allied expectations are based upon
future revival of German industrial
effort. And the Germans insist that
this revival cannot be achieved eco
nomically or financially until the
terms of the indemnity have oeen
leSSened.
Chancellor Konstantin FehrenDacn'
who has succeeded in forming a coaii-
tion government after much dlfnculty.
will insist that the indemnity clauses
he revised. that the whole questioh
of reparations be based upon Ger
not upon futures" An elaborate
statement of Germany's Industrial ana
economic situation has been prepared,
and to saw that this is extremely pes
simistic is not an exaggeration' ac
cording to advices which have peeh
received in Washington
Germany's condition is pictured IN
the darkest terms Just where real.
ground for negotiation between the
allies and Germans can be reached is
not known. The allies must elthef
accept the Germans word for their
ability to pay Or must insist on com
pliance with the terms as framed art
ar extensive deliberation over reports
of allied Investigators.
Will Take Advantage.
That Germany expects to take ad-
vantage of the allies past readiness
to delay full and complete settlement
rather, the allies present inability
to pursue a more aggressive course
because of internal conditions-is
shown by action in reporting on ecu
nomic conditions.
There never has been doubt in Ger
MANY that sooner or later the allies
will be forced into an open split over
the enforcement of peace st1pulatlons.
Contrary sentiment in London, Parls
treatment of Germany has given the
Teutons hope of eventually escaping
vexatious treaty terms.
In sending it's economic digest to
particular governments before pre-
senting it to the allied supreme coun-
Gil at Spa, Germany makes a direct
bid for the support of individual for
eign offices instead of the conference
Through this action it may be hoped
to encourage split In the spa con-
ference where Germany will take up
the cudgels for revision of the eco
nomic and financial terms.
Germany. it may be believed. ex-
meets England and Italy to stand for
such revision. She knows France
wants "the pound of flesh" With
conflict between the allies themselves.
Germany has at once delayed hnal
agreement, and more weeks Will be
ushered in. with constantly increasing
economic and financial dangers. all
designed to permit Germany to es-
cane fulfillment of the treaty.
Some of German Demands
The German chancellor, it is re-
vealed, will demand the restitution OF