DECISIONS OF ALLIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9432, 1 February 1921, Page 5

DECISIONS OF ALLIES.

GERMANY AND REPARATION. (Per Press Association Copyright) . LONDON, January 30. In addition to the annuities which Germany must pay there will be a tax on German exports, as already announced. The Conference was unanimous as regards the reparations, also unanimous m approving of" the proposals of the military and naval air experts on n Im-easures 1 m-easures necessary for enforcing all the engagements to which Germany is bound by the agreements made at Boulogne and Spa. The Allies signed the protocol, which will shortly be sent to Berlin, requesting Germany to complete her legislation for disarming before March 15, the Reichswehr comprising too many officers and men, and Germany is requested to put the matter m order by April 15. . The reduction of the army to 100,000 has not been accompanied by a corresponding surrender of material, and this must be handed m by. February 28. Concerning Germany's organisations xor selt-protection, vthe Allies request the dissolution by June 30 of all forces constituted with that idea, and Germany must hand to the.Allies before March 15 the text of alFlegislation to that end. All heavy arms placed at the disposal of these forces, and twothirds of the portable arms must be destroyed by March 31, and the remaining third by June 30. The naval clauses provide for the surrender of. all documents by February 28. Ships m reserve mus,t be destroyed''by April 30, and the destruction of those already started must be completed before July 31. Warships under construction must be destroyed immediately, and the same applies equally to submarines. *rhe articles of the. Protocol dealing with reparations empower the Reparations Commission to take all measures expedient for controlling German exports to allow Germany to discharge lier debts' before they come due with discounts varying with different years. They forbid all credit transactions abroad, without the Commission's • authority, and provide that the Customs and" a tax on exports constitute the security of the agreement. The Allies may raise the Customs duties if they are insufficient. Germany must hand 22,000 tons of coal monthly to the Allies from January 31, and arrears of half a million tons within two months. It is stated that while the Cpnference had decided upon ultimate "measures m the event of non rfulfilment of the obligations, the Allies, acting m the spirit of courtesy, inspired by the hope that Germany would carry out her obligations of her own free will, deemed it unnecessary at present to notify Berlin what these precautions are. The Allies agreed to fotfego claims against Austria for the maintenance of the Army of Occupation, but no money would be advanced. Every question on the agenda paper received, if not final solution, at least a direction of policy. ( The most important result of the Conference, apart from -the special questions, has been the establishment, m sentiment and policy, of the Allies' harmony sajad union of the closest and most cordial kind. Mr Lloyd 'George, m an interview, said he had never attended a conference at which such satisfactory results were attained. "All the Allies were satisfied," he said, "and if Germany is not, we are not concerned about that. Our arrangements are equitable, just, and practicable. In any scheme of reparation, practicability must be the main point." y He added that he did not anticipate any difficulty m obtaining reparation from Germany. "If the Germans do not pay, we will not hesitate to put into operation the sanctions obtained at this Conference."