FRENCH CLAIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 7

FRENCH CLAIMS.

NOT TO BE ABANDONED German Reparations Will Be Insisted On. BERLIN OUTLOOK. ("Times" Cables.) PARIS, October 29. In the course of a speech at Caen, the Premier, M. Poincare, predicted that in the next six months some of the greatest post-war problems would come to the forefront. France would not blindly abandon her claims against Germany, said M. Poincare. Nor would she accept a settlement which, while the payment 'of her own debts was insisted upon, would not assure to a just return from reparation payments. The task of the experts' committee would be to demand such a return. The French delegates must exhibit sustained vigilance as well as a desire to reach <tu agreement. The Government was never in greater need of a faithful, trusting majority.

The Berlin correspondent of the "Times" says the German Government has taken the initiative in the formal negotiations for the formation of the committee of experts to settle the reparation problem. Already it has instructed its Ambassadors at Paris, London, Rome, Brussels and Tokyo to suggest the establishment of a commission, and to indicate Germany's view regarding its composition and its powerß.

The German Government has also decided to inform the United States Government that Germany will welcome an American representative, either as delegate or as an observer.

It is considered by the German Government that the commission should be composed of financial experts of international authority and free from all exterior influence. It disagrees with the argument advanced in French newspapers that the various Governments, should constantly control the discussions by their officially instructed representatives. The Germans point out that the Dawes agreement was due to the authority given to. independent financial experts. They contend that the new commission should be armed with the same authority.

THE WAY OPEN. GERMANS TAKE INITIATIVE. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 29. The "Morning Post" Berlin correspondent states that the German Government has formally opened the way to the convening of a commission to make a final settlement of Germany's reparation obligations by instructing the diplomatic representatives of London, Paris, Brussels, Rome and Tokyo to make the necessary proposals* It is emphasised, that the membership of the commission should be confined to independent, economic experts and thus prevent the introduction of politics, also making it possible for the United States to be represented as it is feared, otherwise, she will refuse. Washington has been notified accordingly.

The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent believes that Berlin will be insistent on fixing the annual payments at £100,000,000.