The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-05-02

Allied Foreign Ministers De-
mand Categorical Answer
of Germany or Infliction of
Severe Penalties.
SUBMIT TO COUNCIL
tRv Associated press)

give by May IL, a categorical answer,
yes or no, to the allied reparations de-
mand or suffer the affliction of naval
and military penalties. according to
the terms of an ultimatum drawn up
by the allied foreign ministers today,
and submitted to the supreme council
for its approval.
The swift movement of events in
the reparations issue between the al
lied powers and Germany was shown
in this series of developments:
The allied foreign ministers first
met and completed the draft of the
ultimatum that Germany should be ad-
, vised of the allied terms within four
, days from today and then would have
six days within which to give an ans
wer yes or no without conditions, the
| negotiations being considered at an
end
Threaten Naval Action.
A British naval demonstration IN
the North Sea stated to be one Of the
consequences to follow a refusal of
the Germans to yield to the allied
demands.
The supreme council did not finally
act on the ultimatum, but adjourned
! after an hours consideration of 1t
until p. m.
/ Word was received here that NJ
Jusserand, French ambassador to
Washington, had had an informal talk
with Secretary of State Hughes. Sec
| ratry Hughes. the ambassador report
ed. said in substance that America did
not wish to take any attitude that
would irritate the allied governments
He hoped, he was quoted as adding
that military advances, such as an
occupation of the Ruhr valley should
be avoided as such action seemed like
war.
-. Preliminary Moves. ...
! Word from Paris showed that the
French military forces were making
/ preliminary moves looking to the occu-
patton of the Ruhr in anticipation in
official quarters that Germany would
not give the guarantees, were expected
I to demand that the occupation conse-
| quentiy would have to be carried out.
1t was indicated that the mobilization
of 10000 men of the class of 1919
was imminent.
The allied supreme council, after re-
ceiving the report of the council of
F., foreign ministers, today agreed in
principle to the plan Of foreign Minis
ter Jaspar of Belgium, providing for
an ultimatum to be presented to Ger
many for military measures to be used
in case Germany should default The
terms of the ultimatum were being
discussed this afternoon by allied ex.
perts who were to report to the SUI
preme council at p. m. The terms
already agreed upon include provision
for guarantees and for penalties to be
enforced from time to time, should
Germany fail to meet the conditions
WASHINGTON, May I'm the alb.
sence of official information all com.
ment on the decision of the allied SUI
preme council at Londan with regard
to German reparations was withheld
today at the state departmet.
t 1t was said that so far as the United
States was concerned the situation
was just where it was Saturday night
when it was made clear that the
American government would deter
mine it's course after learning Off
cially of the action of the council
Reports in London that the United
States might be requested to commun
icate the findings of the council te
Germany was declared to be unsup
ported by an official advices.
1t also was said that there had beer
no communication between the Amer
lean government and the supreme
council and that no communication
had been sent to Berlin. Sir Auck
land Geddes. the British ambassador
called on Secretary Hughes today, bu
it was said the reparations question
was not discussed
Reports that Germany had sent
new note to the United States con
tanning modified proposals were me-
at the state department with the state
ment that no further communication
+ dealing with reparations had been re
ceived from Germany
PARIS, May 2.-The French govern
? ment is proceeding with the prelimin
aries necessary 10 the occupation o
the Ruhr valley, should that step b.
ordered. A brigade of cavalry was en-
, training today to join a large detach
ment' of infantry already on the wa,
from Lyons. in addition to artiller,
from Vincennes and other garrisons
now on the move.
/ The understanding in official circle.
1 here is that nothing can now proven
completion of the French plans TO
: mobilization of the necessary force
for the occupa ton, and that the az
tual occupation can be prevented onl
) by Germany giving ample guarantee
+ that she will pay according to the de
:. cisions of the reparations commission
Such acceptance by Germany is er
tirely unexpected in political and Of
I ficial circles here, and an order mobil
1 izing $50, men Of the class of 1911
is expected at any moment.