Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-05-13
Reparations Ultimatum and
Protocol Handed to Germany
by the Allies.
RUHR WILL Be OCCUPIED
Fehrenbach Cabinet Resigns After
America Rejects Offer-PoIes In.
wade Upper Silesia PIebiscte
Zone-Panama Scorns the
Warning of Secretary
Hughes.
BY EDWARD w. PicKf.RD.

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 1919 and
started them toward the Ruhr, armed
and equipped for real warfare.
For several days the supreme coun-
ell, In session In London argued over
the reparatlons 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 sim
gularly stubborn In contestlng 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 It
clear that America would not inter-
fere but the British and Italian men,
bers of the council still hoped Doctor
Simons would come across with a new
offer that would make the seizure of
the Rnhr unnecessary. On Wednes-
day, however, they gave in and final
agreement was reached regarding the
ultlmatum and protocol to Germany.
Next morning the documents were
signed and the ultimatum, giving Ger
many six days to accept, was handed
to Doctor Sthamer, German ambassa-
dor to Great Britain. The allied rep.
arations commission carried the pro-
tocOl to Paris and handed 1t to the
German representatives there.
The total sum demanded from Ger
many was increased from 32,000,000,-
900 to 135,000,000,000 gold marks by
the inclusion of the sum due Belgium
for her debts to the allied nations,
Germany Is to acknowledge the lndebt.
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
0O0000,00O 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 tho
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 1t is probable the British
and French navles will at least make
demonstration In the North sea and
the Baltic, possibly establishing naval
control of Bremen, Hamburg and Stet-
tin. Concerning this 1t was felt the
advice Of the United States should be
obtained.
Meanwhile the German cabinet was |