The New York herald., 1921-03-01
SIMONS HOPES TO
| PROVE INABILITY
TO PAY DEMANDS
German Delegates Arrive in
London Alive to Tremen-
dOus Seriousness of
Their Task.
DEFY ALLIES COERCION
Will Take Decided Stand
Against II Per Cent. Tax
on Exports as Not
Feasible.
INSIST THEY HAVE FACTS
Say Forcing Bill Will Throw
Country Into Bolshevism
and Powers Will Never
Get a Cent.
INSIST THEY HAVE FACTS
Specai Gable 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, by THE new York HERALD

SpsclQf tuptt 10 lhb VIEW SOAh AAhsAe@p
Copyright, 1871, by THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald bureau,
London, Feb. 2s.
rho German delegates, who will dis
cuss reparations with the Allied
Premiers, came to London this even
ing fully alive TO the tremendous
seriousness OF the task before them.
They are very hopeful of impressing
the Allies not only with Germany's
inability TO pay the reparations de-
manded. but with the fut;llty of the
Allies forcing their sanctions" in the
event Germany is forced 10 say mo-
to the demands as formulated at Paris
DR.. Walter Simons, the Foreign
Minister, and members of his delega-
tion, do not ignore the force OF the
Entente demands. but they insist that
the facts they will present to the con-
ference will have almost equal weight
They say they cannot pay; that II tn
bill is forced on them. IL will throw
Germany into Bolshevism and demor-
alize the country beyond redemption.
so that the Allies will never get cent
from her. They ask IF military
steps are taken what can be gained"
The Germans declare that IL the
French take the Rphr district they,
the French, themselves will lose, be-
cause the German workers cannot b'
compelled by the French 10 work as
hard as they ara working now: that
,fv,a ac
will mean fatal loss. If other Ger
man districts are occupied by the AL
lies the Germans assert the effects
will be generally the same as In the
case OF thA Ruhr.
Have Their Own Figures.
The Germans VIII offer their own
figures OF what rcparations they be-
iieve their country can pay and hope
q compromise will be reached which
will encourage the German people TO
work faithfully with the Entente for
the fulflment OF the terms OF the
Treaty OF Versailles
The Berlin delegates will stand
strongly against tho additional repara-
ton payments amounting to IL per
cent. of the value OF German exports
presenting what they viii assert are
straight business arguments that the
tax is not feasible and cannot work
out. II is probable that they will adj
vance a new scheme for a European
loan which would help Germany pay
her debts.
They insist that France IS the most
assertive OF the allied Powers and
must listen 70 logical scheme be-
cause Of precautions in connection
with her financial condition.
The complexion OF the French Gov
ernment is OF little concern TO the Ger
mans They declare tnat II It is not
one French Premier II is another. and
any French Government which ex-
poets 10 find way out OF the present
difficult position must listen to reason
France and Britain a Unit.
on the eve OF the most important
world assembly since that of Versailles
there are not yet any presages OF a
stANitHRtnNs III AiAc NOAor Va ctt
Of the best informed British Treasury
officials TO THE NEW YORK HERALD cor
respondent here tonight the situation
may be summed up as follows.
France and England have never been
so near together on the question OF the
amount or reparation Germany shall
pay as they are tonight But France
will not bulge an inch further The
narrowness OF the gap between them
makes little difference when ono side 10
inelastic or course England stands
with her ally rather than with her
enemy"
Inquiry on all sides here confirms this
impression. France believes that the
Paris reparatons figures are within
Gcrnany's ability to pay--pay at the
cost Of frightful burden. but pay. pay
while toillng painfully to regain her
previous estate.
II IL believed that when Dr. Sinons
knows that France and England are In
earnest In go far as enforcing the sane
tionE are concerned he will not give =
mo" TO tho Allies reparations demands,
but viii ask for tino 10 further consult
with the German Government and peo-
pie In the face OF this now dilemma OF
agreeing TO accept n back straining bur-
den or the loss OF further German SOW
ercignty.
The Allies believe the Gcrmon pcopl.
win choose the apparently harder but
surer alternative.
The Germans believe the Allies 50
want peace that they will not enforce
the penalties at the price OF delaying
that peace and that therefore. tho
Entente viii accept a lesser settlement
than that demanded at the Paris con-
ference.
The Germans look on the possibility
Of the fall of the French Government
headed by Premier Aristide BRAND
should such iesser settlement he agreed
upon With equanimity. Thsy assert trst