Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-08

many was not responsible for the
war, he declared. The responsibility
of Germany for the war, was, with
them, fundamental. The Paris pro-
posals, tn premier said, represented
a considerable abatement of the full
claims of the allies. but that abate-
ment was made in order to secure a
settlement.
| 1--WE are willing Ito discuss with
Germany the length of the period of
annuities, =" he continued:s 1--WE are
willing to discuss with Germany any
other method besides the IL per cent.
tax for adjusting the annuities to
German prosperity. DR.. Simons is
not really in q position to negotiate;
he is returning to report to public
opinion. which is not ready to pay
this. debt
| Dr. Simons, in his reply to Mr..
Lloyd George regretted that the Ger
man proposals had been miscon-
strued.
| For us, just as for you," he said,
"the disadvantage of provisional
settlement is beyond doubt. But we
have taken refuge to such provi-
sional settlement under the pressure
Of your ultimatum which forced us to
come forward with definite proposals.
We should have preferred to put be-
fore you a plan Of total arrangement.
A plan like that which we originally
started with"
He explained that he had no second
proposal in his pocket and had there
| fore to try to find new way. both in
the delegation andin the Berlin cab
met. He had been charged to ask for
brief delay in order that he might
get in touch with the Berlin cabinet,
but. he added, I'VE were refused even
this short delay. From this face 1t
already appears that there is no foun-
dation for the fear that we should
| want to make use of the provisional
whole treaty after the lapse of the
five years.
"On the contrary, the German ma
ton has undertaken it's obligation of
making reparation, and it is ready TO
fulfill the whole of this obligation to
the limits of possibility. We are
therefore ready to enter into the sug-
gestion of the president Of this con.
ference to furnish the Allies with
part of the means which would be
required for the purposes of repara-
ton by laying aside part of the pur-
chase prices of German goods deiiv-
cred Unto the Allied countries for the
reparations account.
Il have submitted and recommend
cd this proposal to my government.
and can only say regret that this pro-
posal should have been discredited in
public opinion in Germany by having
been placed by you among the sane
tons to be taken against Germany.
We agree with the president of the
conference also in this point that II
would be advisable as quickly as pos
sible to get the fixed sums determined
and to have also determined the factors
of the varied payments in case of
her economic recovery, which Germany
would have to make toward repara-
tons.
I'VE further agree with your inten-
ton to set up an examination system
Of the fixed and varied payments TO the
different countries. These points in
our opinion should be deliberated on by
a joint committee Of experts as soon
as possible. and I can only state It is
pity that when these experts meet.
the atmosphere will be embittered by
the sanctions which are to be put into
force against us.
II feel obliged at this moment when
the sanctions are definitely going to be
put into force against us, to enter once
more with all due emphasis a protest
against your procedure"