The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-08

Berlin dispatch says that Frenci dorf have advanced to within si
 The allied uItimntum was fore
 closed apparently with reluctance
 by the British prime minister The
 French do not appear regretful,
 while the Germans left Lancaster
 House, where the conferences have
 been held, plainly depressed to take
 their train for home tomorrow.
 Two long sittings of the conference threshed out the final break before Marshal Foch and Field Marshal Will son wrote telegrams. ordering the commanders at the front to executa the orders already given to them. Dr. Simons, the German foreign secretary, : presented an alternate plan, whereby Germany agreed to pay the annuities for the first five years demanded in the Paris plan and also tho equivalent of the proposed 12 per cent tax on ex- ports, but clung to the conditions for the retention of upper Silicia and world wide freedom of German trade.
 LLO I U GEOhNE ST EAhC
 Lloyd George, delivering judgment for the allies, said they deeply de- plored the necessity of the decision, while Dr, Simons chung to the last to the contention that the Paris de- mands were impossible for Germany to fulfill The allies regarded the Ger man couruse as strategy for delay, and the latest plan al one whereby the whole treaty would have to be re- considered and debated after five years, when Germany might hold more favorable position. pr. Simons finally asked for further time in which to consult the German cabinet. This was denied
 The French army will furnish tn: bulk of the forces for the new march into Germany Great Britain's com tribution in men will be only large enough to show her solidarity with the allies, who wait with the deepest interest for any sign from Washing ton of the American governments at- titude toward the new enterprise.
 General feeling in England appears to be one of relief without enthusiasm. The prime minister explained the posi- tion in the House of Commons tonight in a speech, in which there was no note of jubilation. The majority of English newspapers have taken the line that the most important point involved was that the allies should stand together, while the French press has fraelv voiced its fears tEat Lloyd George might desert France All recog- nized that if M. Briand returned to Paris bearing the burdens of con cession to Germany. his premiership was doomed
 WHAT LLOYD GEORGE SAID
 Premier Lloyd George in his speech announcing that the German proposals were not acceptable said:
 We all deeply deplore having to come to this decision in the interest of the peace of the world and, despite the fact that our action is liable to a good deal of misapprehension in our own countries, we have made effort to secure a bet ter understanding and it is not for lack of effort and discussion that 1 have now to announce on behalf of the allies thls failure to come to anything like an ap- proximate understanding with Germany
 Explaining why the latest proposals Of Dr. Simons were inadequate. MT. Lloyd George said it was essential in the in- terest of the peace of the world that there should be definite settlement Of outstanding questions between the allles and Germany. Germany, the allies ana neutrals urged it.
 That is an appeal to common sense. he continued Tt is perfectly true that the experts failing to come to an agree ment, made some suggestions about try ing to agree for five years, but that was not plan which was adopted by any conference of statesmen. We wanted, each of us to know where we stood.'
 The prime minister pointed out that IDr Simons' acceptance of the Paris proposals for five years was apparent but not real. It was subject to con- ditjons which might make 1t uncertain, which might terminate it in few weeks It was subject to the plebiscite in upper Siiesa. If the plebiscite were ad- verse to Germany she would be justified in saying: Germany is deprived of ter ritory upon which depended those an- Euities and therefore the agreement made at London is at an end.
 Mir Lloyd George continued: Tne London proposals are perfectly valid There is nothing the allies, especially those who want to raise money for re- pairing their ravaged country, could raise one paper franc upon. let alone gold mark The proposal that Germany should pay annuities for five years not out or revenue, but by means of loan, IS uis- quieting She is thereby mortgaging her income for the years that come after m order to pay the annuities of the first five. There are certain significant sen- terces used by Dr. Simons which show that Germany has not yet faced ner problem
 The prime minister spoke about the enormous sacrifices it would be necessary for Germany to make in order to pay the annuities of the first five years, and add ed: ''If upper Silesia is torn entirely from the side of Germany, the latter will have a population, which will be ten millions in excess of Great Britain m cIuding Ireland. This year we have million unemployed as direct result Of the war, but we have to find for paying our debt charges and pensions and dis ab;litv allowance five hundred million sterling. If Germany carries out this wear the Paris proposals she will have 10 f;rd one hundred and twenty million
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