The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-03
RUHR VALLEY
TO Be CUT OFF
BY The ALLIES
New Customs Taxes To BE I'M
posed Along Rhine.
Counter Proposals Offered
Tuesday Not Even Considered.
ONLY MARSHAL FOCH SMILED
Meeting of Supreme Council
Made Solemn Occasion.
Germans Threatened To 60
Home if Flat Demand Made.

London, March 3.-The allies today
served an ultimatum on the German
delegates, demanding acceptance of the
reparations demands by Monday noon,
it was authoritatively stated.
Lloyd George told the German dele
gates that the following penalties will
be imposed:
Occupation of Duisberg. the Ruhr
ports and Dusseldorf.
Levying of an equitable tax on all
German exports to the allies.
Establishment of a customs line
along the Rhine.
The British premier stated also that
any modification that might be per-
mitted by immediate acceptance of
the proposals will be abandoned if the
allies are compelled to use force.
Cut Off Ruhr Valley.
Occupation of these cities, the mill
itary experts said, could be accom-
plished without additions to the
armies of occupation The action
would definitely cut the rich Ruhr
valley from the rest of Germany. In
addition to occupation. the punish
men thru seizure of customs houses
was planned.
The German delegates were in
formed by the allied representatives
today that if Germany does not accept
those terms the allies will take i'm
mediate steps.
Germany's counter proposals which
were submitted to the allies on Tues
day were not susceptible of examina
ton, Premier Lloyd George told DR..
Walter Simons, head of the German
delegation, in substance, after today's
session of the conference had assem-
-bled at st. James palace at noon.
All Looked Solemn.
Members of the council, their ex-
perts and military attaches, appeared
solemn as they drove up to st. James
palace thru great crowds.
Premier Lloyd Georges face lacked
its customary smile and Premier
BRAND eyed the crowds somberly. Only
Marshal Foch was smiling as he ac-
knowledged applause with military
salutes.
The German delegates drove up
amid a great silence. Doctor Won ST.
mons was pale and apparently DOWN
cast. Some of his assistants were smil-
ing as they staggered thru the great
entrance.
1t was the largest meeting of the
council.
Coal Deliveries Overdue.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the attitude
taken by the German government re-
Earding reparations was, in addition, a
grave violation of the obligations of
minded the German representatives
that their government had not fulfilled
the treaty of Versailles relative to coal
deliveries, disarmament, the payment
of twenty billion marks in gold and
the punishment of German officers and
soldiers accused of crimes during the
war.
Germany's deliveries applicable to
the reparations account, including war
material. are estimated at S,000.00O.-
600 gold marks, it was announced by
the allies reparations committee here
today. This would leave 1900 ,OOO,-
600 marks due on the first 20, 200, ,O0O,-
900 marks Germany would pay under
the Versailles treaty.
Germany. added the British prime
minister. in refusing to accept the con-
cessions proposed by the allies with
regard to reparations, had by the same
act renounced the advantages granted
her at the previous conference with
the allies.
Mr.. Lloyd George then. on behalf
of the allies, announced the ultima
No Intention of Oppression.
Lloyd George in his address to the
Germans declared there was no inten.
ton of expressing them. They must
accept responsibility for the war how.
ever. and interpret their obligations
accordingly, he said.
THE German people are under the
impression that the allied demands
are intolerable and designed to enslayc
them. We regard them as free We
contend that a prosperous Germany is
essential to civilization and regarding
discontented and enslaven Germany
as a menace and burden to European
civilization"
Lloyd George declared the German
counter proposals were a mockery.
Won Simon's statement was a def,
mite challenge of TIL, Versailles treaty.
ne said. The entente proposals Were
Continued on Page Two.l