PARIS CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17061, 4 February 1921, Page 7

PARIS CONFERENCE.

DECISIONS TO STAND. . NO DISCUSSION WITH GERMANS. (3~ Cab'f.—Presa Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association,) LONDON, February 2. It is authoritatively stated that there is not the slightest intention to depart from the decisions of the Paris Conference, or of entering into any discussion with the Germans on any other basis than the . demands now made. ECONOMIC A yrMTTTTT. A TTOTT ALLEGED. (Received February 3rd. 9.10 p.m.) BERLIN, February 3. Herr Srhufrer, as spokesman for the Democrats, Centre, and People's Parties, approved of Herr Simons'a speech. He said the demands were not compatible with the Treaty, nor with the honour arid economic needs of Ger> many. He liope'd the Government would secure ternis restoring peace and security, otherwise the parties named would support the Government in refusing the conditions which' amounted to economic annihilation of Germany now (,'iK-l in ; tho (fut-ure. Othej» s?>eakers foTHowed in a similar strain, but Herr Hergh, a Nationalist, emphasised the disarmament terms, and said the Government should main-, tain a firmer tone. The debate was again adjourned after the Independent Socialists had blamed the Militarists for the disarmament conditions. The impression in Entente circles is that the debate will not lead to developments, and that the only purpose of the speeches is to show that Germany is united. MORE COMPLAINTS. (Reuter'n Telegrams.) BERLIN, February 2. Herr Simon defended the Government against the reproach that it had not advanced proposals regarding the Allies' demands. He uttered a warning against what he described as the superstition that more was obtainable from Germany bv dictation than by negotiations. He added that it woirtd have been impossible, oven in the most flourishing pre-war days, to meet the Allies' demands. The whole settlement was obscure, and contained contradictions to the treaty. It spelled complete economic enslavement of the people, especially the workers. The proposed export tax would throttle the export industry. He asserted that the Allies could not punish Germany for not accepting the proposals, otherwise they would be no longer cproposals, but threats. The Allies' threat to refuse Germany entry into the Leaguo of Nations was premature, as Germany had not asked for admission. AN INSOLENT SPEECH. (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, February 2. The moiling papers characterise Herr Simon's speech as insolent, and the Reichstag scene as a carefully stage-managed comedy, with a vie\y to forwarding the Berlin s plan to pav how much and when the Government please. The speech is regarded as the -banging of the big drum, with a view to keeping the door .open for fresh negotiations at the London Conference, when the Germans hope to meet the Allies on an equal footing.