New-York tribune., 1921-03-12
Si1nons Routs
Critics of His
London Action
Disarms His Foes by Clever
Defense of Indemnity
Offer and Tributes
Pour In From All Sides
First to Tell Allies "No,,
Berlin Ministry Believed
Secure Now, in Spite of
Hugo Stinnes's Hostility
Sy Wireless to TIE Tribune

mons, Foreign Minister, succeeded to-
day in disarming his critics. and. bv
clever defense before the Reichstar
Foreign Relations Committee OF his
course OF action at the London confer
ence, Virtually assured the immunity
of the government to attack. To-nirht.
instead OF having storm brewing
around his head, DR.. Simons is getting
this tribute from ali sides: "Ee is the
first German minister who said NO to
the Allies
At the sessions of the committee last
nigh. and to-day DIR. Simons was as
sailed by DR.. Kari Helferich, former
Secretary Of the Treasury and leader
of one branch of the Nationalist party.
znd by Dr.. Gustav Stresemann. spokes-
man of the German Peoples party but
their assaults were nothing hike the
storm that had been expected, and
neither man made any effort TO embar-
rass the ministry. Helfferch attempt
ed to prove that it was impossible for
Germany to pay 3o00,000 900 gold
marks annually to the Allies, and he
introduced the testimony of German
experts who disapproved Of the second
offer that Or. Simons made 10 Lloyd
George.
DR.. Simons admitted that he had
somewhat exceeded his authority in
making the second offer. but the Cabi-
net, meeting to consider this fact, de-
cide1 that 1t thoroughly approved Of
his action and of the second offer. be-
cause the ministry believed it highly
desirable for Germany to show a will
70 +n bo -
meet the Allied demands.
Stranger on All Sides
As resul of the Cabinets renewed
support of tie Foreign Minister and
the trend of the Reichstag committees
sessions away from criticism, it is be-
lieved tonight that the Reichstag de-
bate tomorrow viii hardly call out an
attack on DR.. Simons. He has strength
.led his fences on all sides. Indorse-
ments Of his policy are pouring ia
from all parts Of the country. These
indicate general desire on the part
OF the German people to submit to the
Allied measures passiveiy until the En-
tente governments convince themselves
that they are unable to get indemnities
through military action. When this
decision is reached, the German people
feel, new understanding can be
reached.
1t became evident at the Reichstag
committee sessions that the German
, EQyernment has 10 positive policy in
the present situation. DR.. Simons de-
eIfaFs vigorously that he had told Eng
IfsF rewsp papermen before leaving Lon
con That he expected to return soon to
resume negotiations with the Allies on
the basis of new offer that Germany
would make. On the contrary, Or.
Simons made it clear that the govern
neut is not contemplating any neN
oaer. He asserted that its policy now
Was to await move on the part Of the
Allies.
Pending some new seelopment. he
said, Germany would merely continue
TO deliver coal ana other commodities
tc the Allies as she has been doing for
some time. and would make no further
effrrt to pay her war bill.
The government, I Simons added
considered the present situation ex-
ceedingly unsatisfactory, but argued
that Germany could not make any offer
that really went beyond her ability to
pay. He said that the government re-
garded the penalties being inflicted on
Germ any as violation OF the Treaty
Of Versailles. but he did not indicate
whether the government would protest
against them The Ieichstag commit
tee did not discuss with the Foreign
Minister the question of formulating
new proposal to submit to the Allies.
Stinncss Attack Fails
LONDON, March Il (Ry The Asso-
ciated Press DR. " alter Simons, the
Foreign Minister, and the other Ger
man envoys to the London conference
have received a Ate OF confidence of
the Cabinet and it is not considered
that there is any danger of Il govern
mental crisis. This despite the crti-
cisms made at the sitting Of the For
eign Affairs Committee to-day, during
which Hugo SHINES, the capitalist, at
tackled in violent terms not only DR..
Slmons, but the entire Cabinet, says
dispatch TO The London Times from
Berlin
Herr SHINES declared rAat the gov
eminent was pursuing no definite or
clear policy, and that 1t was suffering
from an absolute lack Of ideas
Dr. Simons is reported tc have said
that the German government has no
Immediate intention OF making fresh
reparations proposals.