PARIS CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17058, 1 February 1921, Page 7

PARIS CONFERENCE.

SETTLING THE REPARATIONS.

LLOYD GEORGE PREVAILS. (Bv Cable—Press Association— Copyright.) ("The Timed.") LONDON, January 29. In connexion with the Allied Conference it" is freely rumoured that Mr Lloyd George told M. Briand (French Prime Minister) that unless he dis-a-towed M. Doumer's proposals the British delegates would pack up and go h °Mr Lloyd George repeatedly declared, in tflie .course of Thursday's proceedings, that it was impossible to continue the negotiations on the basis or il. Doumer's speech, insisting that the B'rulngne agreement must foim foundation for the settlement of the reparations question, and declined to admit that the New Frencfh Cabinet was not bound by the preceding Cabinet s engagements. ' NO OFFENCE TO GERMANY. PARIS, January 30. Mr Lloyd George expressed pleasure' at the solution, which had tho immediate fixing of Germany s debt and tho eventual possibilities or ■her increased capacity to pay- «© pointed out that the exports tax at present will vield over a milliard ot marks and subsequently three and «a linlf milliards in tho probable event or exports reaching 30 milliards. Mr Lloyd George added that the Conference had not wished to humiliate Germany, and avoided anything likely to offend her, but the

Allies had to se:ure what was owing to them, and at the request of Lord Curzon o moral penalty had been included, namely, the non-admission of Germany to the League of Nations. Great Britain had promised not to capitalise her share of the indemnity for five years, in order to avoid competition with French loans. THE NEW PENALTIES. PARIS, January 30. The penalties for non-fulfilment of the German undertakings include the talcing over by the Reparation Commission of the German Customs revenue and the fixing of new or increased taxation, while Germany is not allowed to contract a foreign loan without the Allies' authorisation.

After the' M. Briand paid ■a tribute to the conciliatory attitudei of Japan. BELGIUM'S HELP. PARIS, January 30. The Belgian delegates at the Allied Conference helped the Anglo-French rapprochement "by offering largely to renounce Belgium's priority in reparation payments in favour of France. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT DECISIONS. (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) (Received January 31st, 7.4-5 p.m.) •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 re>garda the reparations, also unanimous in approving of the proposals of the military and. naval air experts on the measures 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 loth, the Reichswelir comprising too many officer*? and men, and Germany is requested to put tne matter in, order by April 15 th. The reduction of the army to 100,000 has not been accompanied by a- corresponding surrender of material, and this must be handed in by February 28th. Concerning Germany's for • self-protoction, the Allies request the dissolution by June 30th ot all forces constituted with that idea, and Germany must - hand to the Allies before March 15th the text of all legislation to that ond. All heavy arms placed *itt the disposal of these forces, and two-thii'ds of the portable arms must be destroyed' by March 31st, and the remaining third by June 30th. The naval clauses provide for the surrender of all docunionts by February 28th. Ships in reserve must be destroyed by April 80th, and the destruction" of those "already started must be completed- before July 31st. "Warships under Construction must be destroyed immediately, and the same applies equally to submarines. The 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 her 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 tho Allies from January 31st, and arrears of half a million tons within two months.

It is stated that while the Conference had decided upon ultimate measures in the event of non-fulfilment of the obligations, tho Allies, acting in 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 forgo claims against Austria for the maintenance of the Army of Occupation, but no money would bo advanced.

Every question on the agenda paper rocoivcd, 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, in sentiment and policy, of the Allies' harmony and union of tho closest and most cordial kind.

Mr Lloyd George, m an interview, said ho had never attended a conference at which such satisfactory results wore attained. "All the Allies were satisfied," ho said, "and if Gormanv 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." He added that he did not anticipate any difficulty in obtain ing reparation from Germany. "If the Germans do not pa 3', wo will not hesitate to put into operation the sanctions obtained at this Conference." GERMAN PEE S3 ANGRY.

(Received January 3lßt, 9.10 p.m.) BERLIN, January 30.

The newspapers in their criticism on tho Conference are angry and defiant. .Some organs attempt to arouse French suspicions by arguing that the Paris decisions will chiefly benefit British finance and trade with Germany for many years.

SHAKING THE SEPARATIONS. (Received January 3lst, 9.10 p.m.) P Alt IS, January 30. The Allies' share of the reparations_in millions sterling will be:—France 5376, Britain 2486, Italy 1130, Belgium 904,

Portugal and Japan each 84, Roumania, Jugo Slavia and others 734. AMERICAN CLAIMS. SEIZURE OF GERMAN PROPERTY. (Received Januarv 30th, 9.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 29. Senator King introduced a measure providing that enemy alien property seized during the war should be returned to the owners.

Strong opposition developed to the it being pointed out that America's claims against Germany total nearly a billion dollars. The enemy nroperty seized in 'ho United States Ts valued approximately at 800 million dollars, winch represents the only way by which the claims can be paid.