New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
SinlOrls Wins
On Test Vote
I'm Reichstag,
Government Course on
Preparations Indorsed.
268 TO 40; New Counter
Proposals To Be Made

BERLIN, March ~ (By The Asso-
Grated Press).-Approval of the Ger
man governments attitude toward the
Allied rcparation demands was voted
oy the Reichstag to-day after Foreign
minister Simons made lengthy ex-
planation of his work at the London
conference.
lhere was a partisan debate over
'he resolution of approval, which was
moved by the coalition parties, but it
was ilnally adopted by vote of 26s to
AZ. The Nationalists and Majority So
clalists voted with the government bloc
a communist resolution demanding
the immediate establishment of diplo-
matte relations with Soviet Russia was
dccisively defeated.
The House was crowded TO hear DR..
Slmons's statement, in which he dilated
on the extraordinary difficulty on the
part OF Germany to make definite pro
posais under the uncertainty concern
ing Upper Silesia and the constant ex.
change fluctuations. He explained that
an overwhelming majority among the
German experts was impossible of at
talnment' for any proposals; hence the
German countcr-Droposals were made
from political motives, on his own per
sonal responsibility.
Repeats London Arguments
After repeating the arguments en-
ployed before the London conference
Dr. Simons declared that the idea that
because the Allies had torn up the
treaty, 1T was therefore void for Ger
many was all wrong, and that 1--WE
should not repay wrong with wrong"
This was greeted with laughter and
disorder, but DR.. Simons continued,
For Germany there still remains full
fillment OF the treaty SO far rs that
is possible, but no further"
tie then proceeded to advocate the
seeking of a middle path to the coun-
ter proposals on different basis.
But" he added, "at the moment we are
given such a slap in the face we can,
not offer our hand and say, 'We will
be- friends That is Impossible. # we
renew negotiations we must point out
that the basis is altered both psycho-
logically and actually by the imposi-
tlon Of penalties"
Assumes Full Responsibility
he German counter-proposals were
made Tor political reasons, after we
had consulted capable experts" DR..
Simons said in h.S address, "they were
not approved by the government merely
because the experts indorsed them but
the government squarely assumed re-
sponsibility for them after I took the
proposals out of the hands of the ex-
perts, carried them into the final ses-
sions of the Cabinet and there cham
ploned them personally"
n
explained the delay in the appearance
OF White Book on the London con-
terence on the Ground that the public
printer had accidently inserted parts
Of his speech into the reply made by
Premier Lloyd George to the German
counter proposals.
Unofficial Parleys Kept Secret
The White Book, he declared. would
not contain the details of significant
negotiations carried on outside the
official sessions through the mediation
OF persons not actively connected with
the conference. These proceedings. he
sald, were sealed up through a mutual
pledge of secrecy end he would not
violate confidence so long as the other
side observed it.
Tile, suggestion Of a period of pro-
vislonal payments was officially in
dorseu by England, and if Mr.. Llovd
George now takes the opposite atti-
tude .h.s is in contradiction to his
former position" the Foreign Minister
asserted
Holds Treaty Still in Force
The present invasion of the unoccu-
pied areas of Germany he branded as
the worst sort OF an attack that pos
sibly can be made on any state" DR..
Smons said he believed the breaking
oh of relations would not yield Ger
many any advantage, &. the sentiment
OF the world at large toward her was
as yc- too unfavorable. He also dis
agreed with those who charged that
the Entente. through It's present pro-
ceduro, had nulitied the treaty and
that t was no longer in force for Ger
many.
Discussing the prospects of further
negotiations, the Foreign Minister
said. Does the present situation per
NIT Us to carry on further negotia-
tons. l. Tor my part, have not bar
ricaded the path nor pledged Germany
to a definite course. In the opinion
Of tn government it now devoves on
US to exhau;t every possibility to seek
mean OF effecting counter proposals
on scme other basis. Bu. the sane
tions (penaltes) which now are opera
tive have created a different atmos-
phers for negotiations, both psyche
logically and in fact consider the
Allies present procedure the gravest
and riost fa-nl blow that could be ad-
ministered to the worlds economic
situation at this time In view of
these serious consequences we are un-
able to repeat the offer made in Lon
don, but must seek new proposals.