Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-28

discussion took place September IL,
questions Of mutual interest to France
and Italy were discussed in great de-
tail, and it was decided that any final
decision as to the size of the German
reparations amount would be prema-
ture until expert testimony had been
submitted as to the German ability to
pay.
So at Aix-les-Bains it was decided
that a conference of experts was to
take place at the Belgian capital.
Tenth Conference.
In consequence Of this decision the
conference opening at Brussels Sep
TENDER %, va not one of diplomats,
but n of economic experts. Della
croix of Belgium presided. and ma
terial was presented principally by
French n German economists. The
conference appears to have been con-
Quoted in a true spirit of research,
and a willingness on both sides to
throw fun light on the difficult situa-
ton.
The Brussels conference. however,
was merely advisory. 1t could decide
] nothing, but was empowered TO make
recommendations.
Eleventh Conference.
h decisions rested with the dip
lomats, and SO q new conference
opened in London December .. Lloyd
George, Premier Leygues and Count
Sforza me to discuss the basis for
h demands to be made upon Ger
many.
But the nature of the conference
was quickly changed by the sudden
appearance Of the exiled Constantine,
king of Greece, who had been re-
called to: his throne by a Greek pleb-
iscite. This event necessitated a study
Of the oriental problem from an II
tirely new angle, and the question of
German reparations was not dis
Icussed as fully as It had been planned.
The conference brought out the fact
that Premier Leygues lacked the re-
quisite stamina in dealing with men
in January the French chamber Of
deputies retired him to private life on
the strength of a vote of no conf
dence.
Twelfth Conference.
gotiations were necessary, and, in the
meantime, France had passed through
a ministerial crisis resulting in the
selection Of, .ArtHtide BRAND as the
head of the cabinet. BRAND was
thought to be thesman of the hour in
France. He was not considered as
opportunistic, o as shrewd as Lloyd
George, but his powers of ]eloquence
were expected to perform miracles in
changing the prevalent British view
which rather favored moderation in
regard to the ~reparations problem.
BRAND was 40 friend of moderation.
He insisted that France had a pecul-
iarly well-founded right to ask for
special concessions. He pointed re-
peatedly to the fact hat the only
power in the world really menaced
by Germany was France. and this cir
cumstance should be taken into con-
sideration.
Violent friction occurred at the
Paris conference. At one time, it was
reported, the meeting was about to
adjourn in an uproar because Of in
tense disagreement between Lloyd
George and BRAND. But on the
final day Of the conference both
of these statesmen smilingly declared
that the best of harmony prevailed.
The Paris conference outlined the
now Is objecting.
o conference next week to reassert
the view that the war indemnity is
to be paid, and there is not now any
inclination on the part of the Allied
statesmen to concede that the Ger
mans are right in asking for further
negotiations"
Germany will be asked to accept or
to reject the reparations terms.
In the latter case, Marshal Foch
will speak.