Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-05-13
Reparations UItimatum and
Protocol Handed to Germany
by the Allies.
RUHR WILL Be OCCUPIED
Fehrenbach Cabinet Resigns After
America Rejects offer-PoIes In
wade Upper SiIesia Plebiscite
Zone-Panama Scorns the
Warming of Secretary
Hughes.
By EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

Two things operated to prevent the
occupation of the Ruhr district by the
allied forces last week. One was the
hesitation of Great Britain and Italy
to exact the sanctions which France
demanded and which everyone admits
are warranted. The other was the time
required TO mobilize the French troops
and move them over into German ter
ritory. The French minister of war,
however. called to the colors about
100000 men of the class of 1918 and
started them toward the Ruhr, armed
and equipped for real warfare.
For several days the supreme coun-
Gil, In session in London, argued over
the reparations and sanctions, Lloyd
George and Count Sforza delaying
final decision as long as they could,
while Premier BRAND insisted on
! speedy action. Lord Curzon was sin
gularly stubborn in ~contesting the
French propositions and in the effort
to delay matters he persuaded the
council to summon to London the en-
tire reparations commission. Early In
the week Secretary of State Hughes
had replied to the German note, saying
that the offer of Berlin was not, in the
opinion of the American government,
worthy of transmission to the allies,
and expressing the hope that Germany
would "at once make directly to the
allied governments clear, definite and
adequate proposals which would in all
respects meet its just obligations"
The wording of this note made 1t
clear that America would not inter-
fere, but the British and Italian mem
bers of the council still hoped Doctor
offer that would make the seizure Of
the Ruhr unnecessary. On Wednes-
day, however, they gave in and a final
agreement was reached regarding the
ultimatum and protocol to Germany.
Next morning the documents were
signed and the ultimatum, giving Ger
many six days to accept, vas handed
to Doctor Sthamer, German ambassa-
dor to Great Britain. The allied rep
aretions commission carried the pro-
tocol to Paris and handed it to the
German representatives there.
The total sum demanded from Ger
many was increased from 132, 600, 0O0,-
900 to 1876, 900, DOC, 1000 gold marks by
the inclusion of the sum due Belgium
for her debts to the allied nations.
Germany is to acknowledge the indebt-
edness by the issue Of bonds in three
sections, the first Immediately, the
second in November and the third ac-
cording to her ascertained ability to
pay. Germany is ordered to pay q
OO0.O00.O 900 gold marks annually and,
In addition, 26 per cent of the value
of her exports. When these payments
exceed the interest on the bonds is
sued the reparations commission Is en-
titled to require the issue of further
bonds to the amount of the annual in
come. 1t was also decided that the
proceeds of certain German revenues
such as the customs, should be appro-
priated to the service of the debt.
To enforce compliance with the de-
mands of the allies France will occupy
the Ruhr district on May IL, her troops
being accompanied by relatively small
detachments Of British and Belgian
soldiers. and it is probable the British
and French navies will at least make q
demonstration In the North sea anG
the Baltic, possibly establishing naval
control of Bremen, Hamburg and Stet
tin. Concerning this it was felt the
advice of the United States should be
obtained.
Meanwhile the German cabinet was