SECURITY BEFORE REPARATIONS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18266, 27 December 1924, Page 11

SECURITY BEFORE REPARATIONS.

FRENCH FEAR OFGERMANY FRANCO-BRITISH CONVERSATIONS. IST CAELK—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT) liACSTRAUAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PARIS. December 25. ''Eclair - ' publishes a long document claimed to be tho French official account. of conversations between Mr Ramsav Mac-Donald and M. Herriot(Premier) at Chequers in the autumn, from whicn it appears that Mr MacDonald pointed cut that it would bo very difficult for him to obtain the Dominion's consent to an agreement safeguarding France, and that British naval and military experts were opposed to tho Treaty of Mutual Guarantee. M. Herriot,, in reply, said that from General Nollett's information, it appeared that Germany was preparing an array of a new typo. General Nollett was of opinion that with the 100,000 men allowed her under tho Treaty of Versailles, Germany would do again what Prussia did against Napoleon. France had tho dagger pointed at its heart. Ho would not be doing his duty unless ho rendered Germany harmless. He would prefer that Franco should not be paid reparations rather than be compelled to give up security. Tf there were another war, Franco would bo wiped off the map. Mr Mac Donald replied sympathctioallv, but maintained his viewpoint. Tho Quai d'Orsay admits that tho report of the Chequers conversations is authentic. The French Government proposes to enquire how ' '"Eclair" obtained it. MANUFACTURING ARMS. (Stditby "Sun" Service.) PARES, December 25. M. Herriot, in a Departmental letter, charges Germany with bad faith on the question of disarmament. Ho asserts that she is continuing tho manufacture of arms. Twenty thousand rifles were recently seized at Essen. MUST HOLD COLOGNE ZONE. (iUSTEALIAN AKD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PARIS, December 25. The French Cabinet has approved of a memorandum from M. Herriot expressing the opinion that it is impossible to evacuate the Cologne zone.