LONDON CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 162, 10 July 1924, Page 5

LONDON CONFERENCE.

ALLIES AND REPARATIONS. THE POWERS AND GERMAN-. DOMINIONS' REPRESENTATION. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. The text of the British invitations to the London Conference, issued in the form of a White Book, substantially contirms those received by the Italian Government. The text refers to the unanimous Allied decision to adopt the Dawes report on reparations by Germany. Consequently informal discussions between the Allied Premiers are centred on exact measures to give effect to the recommendations rather than upon the principles of the report. These recommendations impose obligations on Germany altogether beyond what are laid down in the Peace Treaty. It is therefore necessary that they be embodied in a formal document and signed by the Powers responsible for their execution. If Germany is to give her assent she must in justice expect to receive as a counterpart to the obligations she is assuming a corresponding undertaking that economic and fiscal sanctions imposed on her shall be withdrawn. It would be undesirable to give any instrument of agreement a form which would have the appearance of a treaty explicitly modifying the Treaty of Versailles. The most convenient form would therefore be a protocol which might contain provisions covering the various points agreed upon. While inviting France, Italy, Japan and Belgium to appoint delegates with any experts they desire, the invitations to the minor Powers merely request the attendance of the respective Ministers in London. It is learned that the Dominion High Commissioners are in constant cable communication with their respective Governments in reference to representation at the Inter-Allied Conference. The position at present is indefinite. There is ground for believing the High Commissioners wifl meet Mr. Mac Donald on Thursday to discuss Empire representation at the conference. —(Reuter.)