The New York herald., 1921-02-03
REICHSTAG SOLD
FOR REJECTION OF
PREPARATION PLAN.
Parties Back Governments
Attitude After Three
Hour Dispassionate
Debate.
DERISION BY LEDEBOUR
If Germany Had Won, He
Says, Conservatives Would
Have Exacted Larger
Tribute From Allies.
COMPROMISE IS SOUGHT
Ex-Chancellor Mueller Hopes
Entente Will Not Force
Economic Crisis Into
Catastrophe.
COMPROMISE IS SOUGHT

BERLIN. Feb. 2.-The Reichstag
parties through their leaders to-day
seconded the Governments attitude to
reject the reparation terms decided by
the allied Premiers at Paris The de-
bate. which lasted three hours, was
dispassionate, barring Interruptions
during the Communist leaders speech.
the sole dissenting note in the Parlia-
mentary chorus Of approval.
DR.. Paul Levy, for the Ultra Radi-
calls, told the Reichstag that the pres
ent situation was mirth provoking. in
asmuch as it recalled the outbreaks Of
official and Bourgeoise anger after the
armistice terms, the Versailles Treaty
and the Spa agreements were pub
ljshed. He added that despite excess
sive protestations, the Government in
sariably subsequently discovered that
there was no choice bat to sign.
President Loebe, at the conclusion
OF the debate, commended the parties
and their speakers on the unanimity
Of their sentiments. He hoped the
Entente would listen to the warning
voices and spare the German people
and itself the inevitable consequences
unless the reparation terms were radi-
cally. revised.
Hope in Counter Proposals.
Or. Schiller, former Minister of JUS
sice. and Herr Mueller. former Cham
cellor, both approved the declaration by
DR. Simons and trusted that the counter
proposals would lead 10 an agreement
with the Entente. Herr Mueller de-
clared that the workers OF all countries
were endangered by the reparation pro-
posals, which would convert the present
economic crisis into European catas-
trophe. He appealed TO the workers to
bring about negotiations for a practical
solution. He admitted that the disarma-
ment obligations could no. longer be
avoided If the German people were to be
spared fresh and grievous visitations.
DR.. Hergt. for the National party.
said he would have liked more decisive
tone in DR.. Simons's observations on dis
armament.
East Prussia" he went on expects
of the Fatherland that she will not be
abandoned in the face Of the Bolshevist
danger. No German ought to assist the
Entente in imposing unpreeedentedy
hard disarmament conditions"
Expressing approval or the Foreign
Minister'S views on reparations, DR..
iicrgt concluded: May the German
people In the hour OF decision find itself
equal to the occasion"
Germany Intended to Exact More.
Georg Ledebour. Independent Social
ist, denounced DIR. Hergt for having, as
he put II. learned nothing from the war
and forgotten how his party had sinned.
lie said the attitude of the Independent
socialists was. that however justiHaby
angry they might feel at the Entente
demands. they must not risk the possi-
OlIity of warding off by negotiations
the dangers threatening Germany.
Herr Ledebour said he regretted that
Dr. simons's speech might create the
Impression that the Government would
refuse to negotiate except on the basis
Of its own counter proposals. and urged
the Government not TO refuse II the
Entente submitted new proposals.
armament demands justified but that he
objected to the trial clauses OF the treaty
on the ground that they would hamper
Germany's economic development. lie
dcrided the Conservatives eloquent
protests. in view of the fact that had
they won the war they intended to exact
even larger tribute.
The press without regard to party af-
liations approves the Governments
declaration. voiced by Minister OF For
oign Affairs Simons, TO the effect that
tho Entente reparations demands are not
feasible OF execution.
The prevalent opinion was that DR..
Smons mad not burned his bridges be-
hind him and that his presentation OF
The German attitude might enable him
to gain important time both in antlci-
pating the attitude of the new Ameri-
can Administration and in reaching "A
definite settlement OF the fate OF Upper
Siiesia.