Evening star., 1923-01-09
Pointed Views
by American
Stir Allies.
HINTS REVISION
OF WHOLE PACT
Lone Ballot Cast
Against Step by
Bradbury.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
PARIS, January 9.-Germany was
voted in willful default Of her 1872:
coal deliveries by the reparations
commission today at a session fea.
tured by an address by Roland w
resentative with the commission Sc.
verely criticized the workings Of the
treaty Of Versailles in certain re-
spects.
His structures created much sur
prise and excited hardly less interest
than the formal declaration Of Ger
many's default.
Described ms Condemnation.
The statement made by Mr.. Boyden
before the vote in the secret session
was described by some of those who
heard him as "a condemnation OF the
whole treaty of Versailles and a sug-
gestion that 1t should be revised as
soon as possible in the interests OF
the economic revival of Europe"
Neither Mr.. Boyden nor Col. James
A. Logan, the other American repre-
sentative, would discuss the proceed
ings or their part in them. feeling
that the Americans, above all others
should observe the secrecy imposed
by the commission.
Mr.. Boyden was quoted as citing in
support of his view, the absurdity OF
declaring Germany in voluntary de-
fault on coal deliveries, when as a
matter of fact, all the deliveries in
kind were entirely too great a bur-
condition, but that the commission.
under the treaty procedure. could do
nothing but recognize the default.
Remarks Cause Sensation.
The remarks of the American rep
to as "a sen sational statement"
. The British view, it is learned, is
quite, similar as to Germany's dim
culties in meeting the coal require
ments- Sir John Bradbury is report
ed to have said that German strikes
ures were responsible for a shortage
of 10000 tons, reducing the deficit
in deliveries to 16h per cent of the
commissions demands.
other factors, the British member
is understood to have asserted, les
sened the shortage further to liz
per cent, for which Germany ought
really to be held responsible. This,
he regarded as not unreasonable in
the circumstances.
The German representatives in
their arguments contended it was a
common commercial practice on such
large contracts to allow a leeway of
10 per cent in deliveries. which they
argued was closely approximatel
when allowances were made for GER
many's disordered condition.
Britain Alone Opposes Step.
The vote was three to one. Sir
John Bradbury casting the negative
ballot.
The discussion over the default
question lasted an hour and three
quarters. a part of which time was
taken up by the British delegate in
giving his reasons why he considered
the default should not be declared.
Sir John explained he was unable
to vote for the proposition, because
he felt that this action took the mat
ter out Of the hands Of the commits
sion and placed 1t under the jurisdic-
tion of the governments. He believed
the question could we'll have been
handled by the commission in view
of the circumstances surrounding the
delivery of coal by Germany last
year.
Boyden Points Out Opposition.
Mr.. Boyden. called upon to give his
views, made a brief statement, point
ing out that he was expressing his
personal sentiments.
he took the view that while a default
actually existed in German coal de-
liveries for 1922, the conditions under
which the default occurred were such
that 1t required special consideration.
He declared the sum total of deliv-
cries in kind by Germany, including
coal, were too great q burden upon
her, II is understood. The present de-
fault in coal: he thought, should have
been considered from this point of
view.
Arguments by German mine oper-
ators were heard before the commits
sion voted.
Impressed by Small Deficit.
It is also known that the American
observer expressed himself as impressed
by the fact that the default was only
between Is and 20 per cent Of the de-
liyeries.
Boyden began his statement by saying
that II he were voting he would be COM
PEELED to vote for the default, since a
default actually existed under the terms
of the treaty. He then made what was
described as a somewhat detailed state
ment regarding all deliveries in kind,
and is said to have pointed out that the
deliveries OF merchandise. which devel-
oped under the treaty, were far too
great a burden on Germany.
It was q mistaken idea that It was
easy to get deliveries of merchandise
from Germany without affecting the
financial and economic situation, the
American representative is said to
have pointed out. AS a matter of fact,
he thought that deliveries such as
were being made were a serious strain
on Germany's situation and one of the
principal elements contributing to the
weakness of Germany's position.
willfully Failed Says Barthou.
Louis Barthou, president of the
commission, opened the discussion,
presenting the French viewpoint and
requesting his colleagues to vote for
a default. He said it was clear that
Germany had willfully failed to hand
over to the allies last year shipments
of coal in excess of 2,153,0O0 tons
under the stipulated amount, despite
the fact that the amount fixed by the
commission at the beginning of 1922
was later reduced from 1e,500,000 tons
to 13,800,oo0 tons.
The italian and Belgian delegates
both supported NJ. Barthou's point of
view and after the American observer
had been heard the vote was taken.
Herr Lubsen, for the German coal
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