Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-11
NEW CONCESSIONS
WON BY GERMANS
NPARLEY AT SPA
Delegates Decide to Put
Ruhr Coal Question Up
Before Experts.
TEUT0N ENJOYS SPEECH
BRINGS ON REPRIMAND
SHINES Declares Occupation by Al
lies Would Only Hinder
Fuel Production.
Rv the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
SPA, Belgium, July 1O.-The Ger
man representatives presentation of
their coal and economic situation to
the representatives, of the allied gov
ernments here today. won for them
further concessions from the confer
ence in an agreement to have German
and allied experts consider the coal
question. 1t was another day marked
by forceful language, the presiding
officer, Premier Delacroix of Belgium.
interrupting Hugo SHINES, the Ger
man coal operator, in his presentation
of the situation when he referred TO
those afflicted with the disease of
victory"
Both SHINES and Otto Hue. presi-
dent of the German Miners National
Association, said the threatened oc-
cupation of the Ruhr would only serve
to stop production. SHINES said such
occupation might result in riots and
revolution, and he denied the accuracy
of the allied figures with regard to
German coal production
SHINES Stands Up.
1t is the custom of the conference
for speakers to remain seated, but
Herr SHINES stood up. He said "I
stand because 1 want to look my au-.
versaries in the eye" This was the
opening sentence of what the allied
delegates considered a rather often
sive speech. Premier Delacroix of
Belgium, who presided, on one oc-
casion reminding SHINES that his
language was too forceful.
Hue said the diplomats might order
coal, but only the miners could pro-
duce it. He advocated the six-hour
day for increasing the output. de-
/ claring the American British and
French miners approved this view.
After the conference had turned
over the coal problem to the experts.
DIR. Walter Simons. the German for
eign minister. on behalf of the Ger
man delegation, expressed regret that
SHINES had spoken in a disagreeable
manner
Discussing reparations, DR.. Simons
said he would be able to announce
the German plan tomorrow. He point
ed out that German finances were
critical and that Germany needed al
lied help.
Will Discuss Coal Crisis
1t was extremely important, said
DR.. Simons, that the capital sum of
reparations be known. He declared
the German plan for coal was not be-
fore the experts and announces he
would submit to the conference to-
morrow a plan for supplying material
to the devastated regions.
Premier Millerand at the opening of
the session informed the German
delegation that the allied ministers
and experts were willing to receive
any suggestions concerning coal and
discuss them with the Germans.
TT is all very well for you to tell
us that unless our coal production
and deliveries 20 you increase you
will occupy the Ruhr." said SHINES.
Il may tell you that if you should ex-
pect by occupation of. the Ruhr 10
obtain more coal than you now do,
you would find yourselves mistaken.
Not only would you not get more coal,
but less, because the miners would
refuse to work. They are doing now
all they can with the meager food with
which they are supplied.
Work on Short Rations.
Notwithstanding exhaustion from
lack of substantial food they work
three hours extra twice weekly SO as
to increase production. You gentlemen
cannot by an expression of your viii
merely give an order and increase our
coal deliveries. That is why, if prac-
tical results are to be obtained. there
must be an agreement among experts.
M. Millerand said yesterday that
the Germans were accorded the right
to speak as a matter of courtesy
claim to speak as a matter of right
and whoever is not afflicted with the
disease of victory"
Here NJ. Delacroix interrupted and
said: 'The object of this conferences
is to arrive at a peaceful solution, and
I must therefore ask Herr SHINES not
to be provocative.
SHINES, resuming, said: This con-
ference is the ear through which Eu-
rope could hear the facts. That is
why I wish to speak as a matter of
right and not one of privilege. 1 can
not dispute NJ Millerand's figures
concerning France, but his figures
regarding German production are
quite wrong. Germany has not pro-
duced 7e per cent of the pre-war coal,
and it is not true that 65 per cent Of
tho German iron industries are at
work.
French Situation Serious.
"I recognize that the French coal
situation is serious. and although the
versailles treaty was forced upon
Germany, every German employer and
workman must strive to help France
as many of her mines have been de-
stroyed. although this destruction was
not vauton. but one of military neces-
sity.
Germany is reproached for not
living up to her coal obligations under
the treaty. AS matter of fact, be-
fore the treaty was signed Germany
had voluntarily supplied France with
considerable quantities of coal. The
Germans now. recognize that this act
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