PARIS CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17060, 3 February 1921, Page 7

PARIS CONFERENCE.

REPARATION DEMANDS. GERMAN OBJECTIONS. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM, February 1. German correspondents of the Dutch newspapers state that, in consequence of the Allies taking a new 'basis for fixing the indemnities, Germany will require the exact execution of the text of the Versailles Treaty, and will ask the Allies for an exact statement of their losses. Germany will not pay an arbitrary amount, without knowing how it is calculated. REJECTION BY~REIOHSTAG. BERLIN, February 1. It is reported that Herr von Simons declared that, if the Reichstag agrees to the Allies' terms, he will resign. The newspapers are confident that the Reichstag will overwhelmingly reject the Allied proposals. SATISFACTION IN FRANCE. LONDON, Februarv 1The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says there is a general feeling of satisfaction in France, duf to the- denstic character of the sanctions which tile Allies decided to enforce in case of Gorman default. M. Briand may therefore be assured his policy will be approved by Parliament. Marshal Foch and MM. Briand, Vartbou, and Loticheur on Saturday favoured the immediate communication of the Allied decisions to Berlin, but_ Mr liioyd George did not share this view. A doubt is now expressed in Franco as to whether tho London Conference on tho 28th will simply acquaint the German delegates of tho Allied resolutions without giving tho London Conference power to amend the resolutions after discussion with the Germans. Herr. Bergmann has gone to Berlin,, tut will return to Paris in ten days. DEBATE IN REICHSTAG. MUTUAL RECRIMINATIONS. (Australian, and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 2nd, 8.45 p.m.) BERLIN, February 2. Herr Simons inaugurated the debate on the Paris decisions in a long explanatory speech to a crowded house, many of the Entente diplomats being present. His declarations of policy amounted to asserting it was impossible to accept the decisions as a basis of further negotiations, and the Government was preparing counter-proposals. The debate was adjourned. Tho Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" states that the People's Party, which includes representatives of the great industrial magnates under Herr Stinnes' leadership,, demanded Herr Simons's resignation, because his conciliatory policy encouraged the Entente's demands, but the Centre Party sent an ultimatum that if Herr Simons went they would and wash their hands of all responsibilities. Other groups cast the blame on the Centre Party, saying, if they had not recently put forward foolish counterclaims- the Paris decisions would have been less severe. They should have been contented with seeking a basis of negotiations. The People's Party then withdrew their _ demand for Herr Simons's resignation, but the Nationalists' Parties as a whole demanded that •Herr Simons should clearly indicate 'that the Paris decisions were not acceptable, thus the way would be payed for a united front, excluding possibly the Communists and the Independent Socialists. This attitude was encouraged by the alleged hints in • Allied diplomatic quarters that the Allies did not propose to dictate the Paris scheme at the London Conference, but would bo prepared to listen to counter-pro-posals. "The Government's policy," _ the writer adds, "is to ignore the Paris decisions, declaring they concern the Allies alone, but they would be prepared to accept the London invitation if they were allowed to meet the Allies on an esual footing." The Berlin correspondent of tho "Morning Post" states the _ People's Party have taken the initiative to extend the basis of the Ministry by the inclusion of as many elements ns possible, in order to present a solid national front. "Tt is undoubted,'' adds the correspondent, "that all elements, except the Extreme Left, are already united, though many-Industrials oppose the truculence of Herr Stinnes and other super-industrials, and desire finality for the sake of industry and Germany's future." AMERICA AND THE TREATY. RESULTS OF NON-RATIFICATION. (Australian, and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 2nd 10.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 2. The text of the British mandate over •Mesopotamia seems to confirm the view of tho administration that it excludes Americans from participating in the oil development region. The officials also sea a disposition on tho part of the great Powers to keep the Governments of countries who are not members of the League from deriving benefits from former German territories. Administration circles consider the fact that the United States has not ratified the Treaty to be most unfortunate, since the Allies had not consulted America in the matter of fixing the German reparation. If the Treaty had been ratified the United States would have been able to veto any plan not meeting with the approval of America. Administration circles disapprove of the' reparations sum as too large, although Congressional circles generally approve of the conditions imposed. It is believed that the opera- . tion of economic laws will force a revision of the settlement sooner or later. The officials feel that the United States cannot continue to comply with international isolation unless alio reverts to the status of a second-rate Power.