FACING THE FACTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 6

FACING THE FACTS.

The most important item of foreign news that we have had for some time j is the statement by the Belgian Premier that the country must expect j less from Germany than it has been j led to expect. Belgians, he says, have . been living in a fool's paradise in respect to reparations, and he warns them, that whatever Germany may pay in the future, they must be prepared to bear their own burdens now, including provision for the repayment or foreign debts. The Premier speaks in general terms. He does not mean that Belgium will get nothing, nor does he ; say what he thinks she will get; he simply says that she will not get, now or in the near future, as much as has/ been expected. This is a frank admis- j sion that in the opinion of the head • of the Government that is now acting j. with France in the Ruhr, the French j ' expectations are quite impossible. The ' French, according to Mr. B/onar Law's interpretation and some of ,the Frencn papers, demand £6,600,000,0*00. Britain , \ thinks Germany might be able to pay , £2,500,000,000. Belgium suffered pro- [, portionately less than France in j, material damage during the war, and : , was able to proceed more quickly with , the task of reconstruction, a fact that may have influenced the Belgian Premier j in 'making this declaration of policy. , He mentions the American debt, which , amounts to more than eighty millions. , America may be relied upon to treat j Belgium leniently. This/frank admission by another European country ttiat debts must be met will be received in < America as a sign of improvement In < the European situation. Much more!< important, however, is the proof that j ( the Belgian Government is leaning ' further than before towards the British ' rather than the French view on the ' reparations settlement. It is particu- * larly important in view of the report ] that Germany is about to make another J offer. " '