FIXING THE INDEMNITY

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 119, 19 May 1920, Page 5

FIXING THE INDEMNITY

lOTAL STILLJN DOUBT. NO PRIORITY FOR FRANCE. HEEDS OF THE DOMINIONS. ißy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) PARIS, May IS. H is stated in well informed circles that -Mr. Lloyd George, and M. Millerand laid down at the liythe Conference a sum of 12a,000,000,UU0 marks (about tb',ioU,OUO,UUO at par cquivaleut) us the minimum Uerinuil indemnity. Mr. Lloyd George was unable lo recognise the priority of France to reparation, contending that there could ue, no distinction between the victims of the war. This objection was inspired by the altitude of the British Dominion Governments, which are counting upon tlie money due from Germany in order to assure the payment ol soldiers' pensions. The French delegates proposed the payment of tho indemnity in 33 annual instalments, and the raising of a large loan covered by Germany, France, Britain, Italy, and Belgium" with the. indemnity as security.— (Reutcr.) A semi-oflicial report states that the German indemnity has been fixed at 225 ,000.000.000 marks (about £11,250,000,000).— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) The evacuation by the French of the towns occupied on the right bank of J the. Rhine was carried out quietly in the morning. In a laconic proclamation General Degoutte informed the people of Frankfort that the French were I keeping their word tp evacuate the city. I The main body of French troops j marched out at daylight to Maycnce I with bands playing and Hags flying. >4ls I hostages tho French took the burgoI master, tho chief of police, and several j councillors. They afso took 1,000,000 ■ marks, which will be returned wJien all I the troops have been evacuated without I molestation. The Germans in several placee presented flowers and fruit aR 1 tributes to the exemplary behaviour of

I the French troops.— (A. and K.Z.) .': 1