The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-03-12
STATEMENT BY
LLOYD GEORGE
Premier Declares That
Allies DeplOre Neces'
sity of Using Force
in Germany

London, March 7.-Premier Lloyd
George in his speech announcing
that the German proposals we've noJ
acceptable said:
1--WE all deeply deplore havins
come to this decision in the interest
of the peace OF the world and, dc
spite the fact that our action is LA
bic to a good deal of misapprehen
sion in our own countries, we have
made an effort TO secure a better
understanding and it is not for lack
OF effort and discussion that l have
now to announce on behalf of t."
allies this failure to come TO any
thing like an approximate under
standing with Germany"
Explaining why the latest pro-
posals OF DIR. Simons were inadequate
Mr.. Lloyd George said it was essen
tial in the interest of the peace of
the world that there should be a def
mite settlement of outstanding ques-
tions between the allies and Ger
many.
That is an appeal to common
sense he continued. 1T is perfectly
true that the experts, failing to come
to an agreement made some sugges-
! tions about trying TO agree for five
years, but that was not a plan which
was adopted by any conference OF
statesmen. We wanted each of us &c
know where we stOod.'
The prime minister pointed out
that DIR. Simons' acceptance of the
Paris proposal for five years was APP
parent but not real. Ii was subject
o. 10 ,lx;n
which might terminate it in a week
1t was subject TO the plebiscite in up
per Silisia. If the plebiscite were
adverse to Germany she would be
justified in saying: Germany is de-
prived of territory upon which she
depended 10 pay the annunities, and
therefore the agreement made AT
London is at an end
Mr.. Lloyd George continued: THE
German proposals are perfectly
vague. There is nothing the allies,
especially those who want to raise
money for reparations, could raise one
paper franc upon, let alone a gold
mark. The proposal that Germany
should pay annunities for five years
not out Of revenue but by means of
loan, is disquieting. She is there
by mortgaging her income for the
years that come after i'm order TO pay
the annunities of the first five. There
are certain significant sentences used
by DR.. Simons. which show that Ger
many has not yet faced her problem.
The prime ministers spoke about
the enormous sacrifices ii would be
necessary for Germany to make in
order to pay the annunities Of the
first five years and added:
IF upper s;lisa is torn entirely
from the side OF Germany, the latter
Will have population which will be
iO,O0O.OO0 in excess Of Great Britain
| including Ireland. This year we have
u million unemployed as direct re-
suit OF the war but We have &c
ind some way for paying our debt
charges and pensions and disability
allowance, 5O0.000,OO0 sterling. II
Germany carries out this year tn,
Paris proposals she viii have TO find
l2O.OOO,OOO stcrling.--onc-fourt Tn,
! sum Great Britain alone has To find
! France in addition TO war charge
and pension list, has to find 1900.
100000 francs for repairing her de.
vastated area. Germany, therefore
/ viii have to find this year one-nintl
OF what France has to find and W,
are told that the effort Germany put.
forth is colossal sacrifice. 1t show.
/ that Germany has not realized tn,
essential facts of the situation"
Tn, allies could not enter into any
discussion upon the basis that Ger
many was not responsible for tn,
war, he declared.
I'VE are willing to discuss Will
! Germany the length OF the period o.
annuities, he continued. I'VE ar,
willing TO discuss with Germany any
other method besides the - per cent
tax for adjusting the annuity tC
German property. Dr. Simons il
not really in position to negotiate
he is returning to report to publi,
opinion which is not ready to pa,
( his debt"