GERMANY'S LIABILITY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 186, 3 May 1920, Page 5

GERMANY'S LIABILITY

PROPOSED PAYMENT OF LUMP SUM

THREE POWERS DIRECTING AFFAIRS OF EUROPE

(By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright

London, April 29,

Following Mr. Lloyd George's speech on' the San Reuio Conference ami tho international situation, Mr. Asquith declared that it was extremely desirable that the flouting charge imposed upon Austria' and Germany should he replaced by a fixeu\agreed sum. He was of opinion that the Conference at San Eemo marked a considerable/step towards the reconstruction of ' Europe. Nevertheless ,he wanted to see the effective .establishment of the League Nations.us an authentic'organ. A vast number' of States, small and great, were, already partners to the Covenant, and' they had been augmented by the Inte enemy nations. . Mr. Lloyd George, in reply, said the Allies were anxious in the interest of all, including'■' Germany, to shorten the suspense. In. regard to the indemnities charges, the Allies had agreed that it would be "better for Germany to know her exact liability, and they had invited her definitely to submit a proposal for the payment of a lump sum. Germany had not done so. Germany had tli- remedy in her own hands, by stating what she was prepared to pay. Mr. Lloyd George- emphasised that there were at present three Powers with tho strength, and organisation, and will to direct the affairs of Europe. Until there was something of equal power and organisation to replace them, it ■ was idlo to wind up the Supreme Council. The Council was the beginning of the League of Nations. He was an earnest believer in tho League. If it the only hope was a Federation of Nations. -A'us.-N.Z., Cable Assn.

WAR MATERIAL OFFERED TO ENTENTE NAVAL CONDITIONS FULFILLED. (Rec. May 2, 5.5 p.m.) ' ■ . London, May 1. A Berlin message states that the Ministry of ' Defence has made a statement regarding the 1 . German war stores, There are 478 heavy and 130 light guns at present in Koenigsburg. The Entente has been offered 12,000 light and 500 heavy guns, 3000 mine-throwers.: 20,000 machine-guns, 377,000 rifles, fifteen and a half million rounds of artillery ammunition and thirty-eight million cartridges, and all available aircraft, namely, four hundred aeroplanes.The strength' of the army on April 5 was 11,500 officers and 220,000 men. The naval conditions have been fulfilled, and the Entente has not complained in that connection—lmperial News Service. DEFENCE. MINISTERS ADMISSION OFFICIALS OF OLD REGIME. (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) Berlin, April 30. In response to the "Berliner Tagebl att's" challenge tho Defence Minister admits that fifteen out of thirty-six oilicialo .of. the "Department; served in the ex-Kaiser's stalled , Military Cabinet. The "Tageblatt" admits that they aio not the most influential personalities of the old regime, but are still under'the influence of outsiders, who know how'to pull the strings: It is unlikely that such a Department will; assist in elimination of the reactionary elements in the Reichswehr, with which the Government Is' making, steady progress, despite opposi-tion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable issn. FRENCH AND GERMAN ECONOMISTS TO CONSIDER RENEWAL OF TRADE RELATIONS. ,'• (Rec. May .2, 11 p.m.) .

- ■•;.' . •"•'•■ Paris,' May 1.M. Millerand announced in the Senate that ho had accepted a German proposal for tho exchange of views French and German economists to consider the renewal of more active industrial and commercial relations. Tho Senate loudly applauded the announcement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.