New-York tribune., 1921-03-03
Berlin Defiant
And Prepared
For the W orst
Rejection by Allies Of Ger
many's Counter Proposals
Is Expected and No
Excitement Is Manifest
Sanctions Are Awaited
Threats of Further Occupa-
ton Will Leave the Peo-
pic Unshaken, Is Belief
Bv wireless to Tho Tribune


BERLIN, March 2.-Thc abrupt
termination Of yesterdays session Of
the Allied Supreme Council and the
declaration Of Lloyd George that Ger
many's proposals showed a complete
misapprehension Of the situation and
did not even provide basis for dis
cussion or examination excited no sur-
prise here. 1t is assumed in Berlin
official circles that the conference will
end Thursday with q fiat rejection Of
Germany's counter-proposals.
This probable outcome is discussed
here wholly without excitement and as
something to have been expected from
the beginning. 1t is assumed that the
Allies will Immediately apply the
muchly mooted sanctions, but that de-
velopment also is contemplated as
something already discounted. Gen
eral comment is that threats of further
occupation or other measures of pres
sure will leave the Germans unshaken
in their determination not to under
write the Paris decisions. 1t is held
that the separations agreement was
drawn up under illusions regarding
Gcrmany's economic situation and pros
| poets.
Astray Among illusions
"This time" writes Theodore Wolf,
"the Allies will see what it means to
90 astray among illusions instead of
taking the realities within reach. II
the Entente in London is unwilling to
negotiate. then it must try with the
help of sanctions to find the billions
whereof French militarism has been
long clamoring. We are convinced
that it wholly misapprehends the sit
uation."
Vorwaerts says: "No reasonable man
on the Entente side can believe that
,he Gordian knot Of reparations can be
cut by the sword. This woeld be a
catastrophe policy Of the worst kind
which would destroy in all countries
the last remnant Of reputation which
the Entente still enjoys"
Cabinet Considers Situation
BERLIN. March Q (By The Associated
Press THE German Cabinet met this
afternoon and discussed the reports
sent from London by Dr. Victor Simons
German Foreign Minister and head of
the German delegation. The various
political parties held meetings tonight
to consider the situation arising out OF
to the Vossische Zeitung, it is assumed
| that new attempt will be made to ar
range united front in the Reichstag,
although prospects are not considered
very favorable.
Among th5 papers commenting, the
Zeitung am Mittag thinks the Allied
gesture is an indication Of precon-
certed affair having practically nothing
to do with the German counter-pro-
posals, and hopes that the German
delegates will not be mislcd by this
artitically heated atmosphere, but de-
mand. as they are entitled by treaty,
that the reparations commission shall
fix the total indemnity and elaborate
scheme for payment"
George Bernhard, in the Eossische
Zeitung, remarks that the doors of the
London conference are not yet closed
and that an attempt ought to be made,
even at the eleventh hour. to avert eX-
tremes by another formulation.
The Lokal Anze iger argues that Ger
many is doomed, whether she yields to
the Allies or stands firm, and that
therefore, she should resist. and asks
"Who tells us that the Allies will keep
their nerve if we don't lose ours ~
Germania says Germany's offer ba-
sically is the same as provided for IN
the Paris proposals, in that Germany
substitutes for the Oppressive forty
two annuities an original capital Of
$4,000, 100000, the sole difference being
that under the counter proposals the
Germans will be unable to escape the
fate Of being mortgag.d over to En-
tente slavery for a generation and a
half"
This newspaper suggests that An in
ternational loan would enable Germany
to obtain a moderation of her con
ditions of payment.
Situation Called Serious
The morning newspapers published
long reports from their special CORE
spondcnts concerning the conference
All laid stress on the seriousness OF
the situation. The Vossische Zeitune
said:
"There is no need yet to assume that
the negotiations have broken down. On
the contrary, it is not to be disguised
that Premier Lloyd George, evidently
with intention, used sharp expressions
in order to give an equivalent answer
to the rejection by DR.. Simons of the
Paris decisions. The seriousness of
the situation, however, must not be
underes stimated."
The Vorwaerts, the majority Social
list organ, says:
Anc ICIulaIl knOC OF rcparatiOn can
not be severed with the sword. Such
procedure would prove catastrophal
1t would deprive the Entente of the
last remnant of respect it still pos.
sesses in the eyes Of fair-mnded mer
of all nations
Fears Yoke of Slavery
The Eorwaerts declares that If The
Entente should break off the confer
ence in determination to enforce
the Paris reparations demands moth
: ing would be left for the German pro
letarlat but TO stand together and holt
out IN common effort on their owr
behalf and on behalf of the worker,
. the world over "to escape the wors'
yoke of slavery which capitalism eve,
has attempted to fasten on the work
ing classes"
The Tageblatt warns the Entente
leaders TO cease from pursuing thei,
political illusion." 1t tells them tha
: the days OF Versailles are gone an,
that the Germans will not and can mo-
be made to waver through "menacins
talk
"If our foes are dissatisfied will
what we voluntarily offer and are abl,
and willing to pay" saws The Taeg
liche Rundschau, they are privi1eoe,
to look about in Germany with fh,
purpose of finding out how eventual,
they may satisfy their pretended
rights"
German