REPARATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 126, 21 February 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS

VON SIMONS’S DEFIANT SPEECHES DECISIVE REPLY BY FRANCE

PLANS DRAWN UP FOR ADVANCE OF TROOPS (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.itt.j London, February 18. France’s reply to the recent defiant speeches of Dr. von Simons has been quick and decisive. It is announced that Marshal Foch, in collaboration with M. Briand, M. Barthou, and General Petain, has drawn up plans for an immediate advance of French troops in the event of Germany's refusal to accept the Allied reparation, proposals on the basis of the Paris agreement. Amongst other military precautions will be the retention of the 1918 and 1919 classes with the colours, and the maintenance of an especially alert army of occupation of tho Rhine. France expects to receive a strong mandate from the Allies, although this will not prevent Britain carrying out her part of the same role. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN COUNTER-PROPOSALS • , Paris, February 17. It is believed in diplomatic circles that the German counter-proposals will include the reduction of the reparation payments, delimitation of the trade spheres in various countries (Germany hoping to secure Russian markets), and, finally, the reconstruction of the devastated areas by German contractors and workmen. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH LABOUR”MANIFESTO "INDEMNITY IMPOSSIBLE OF FULFILMENT." London, February IS. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party Executive adopted a manifesto deprecating the German indemnity as fixed' at Paris as being impossible of fulfilment, and calculated to lead to further unemployment in. Britain. It declares that it is unthinkable that Europe can exist as an armed camp for 42 years, and believes that if Germany is given breathing space she will make good the actual devastation. —Aus.-N.Z. Press Assn.

AIR. ASQUITH CONSIDERS TERMS

IMPRACTICABLE.

(Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 19. Mr. Asquith, speakin at St. Pancras, stated’ that the reparations arrangements sanctioned in Paris could not be carried into effect from a practical viewpoint.— Aus.-N.Z. ’Cable Assn. GERMANY SUSPENDING DISARMAMENT PENDING NEGOTIATIONS IN LONDON. (Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) , ! Haris, February 19. According to the ‘‘Petit Parisien’s” Berlin correspondent tho German Government has decided to suspend disarmament, pending the result of negotiations in,London. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IDEA OF REVENGE DEEP-ROOTED IN GERMANY. (Rcc. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) f Brussels, February 18. A member of the Foreign Affairs Commission in the Chamber of Representatives expressed the opinion that the disarmament of Germany was an accomplished fact and the pacifism of the German people certain. M. Hymans, replying, declared that the idea of revenge was very deep-rooted in Germany, therefore Belgium ought not to allow herself to be lulled into false security.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, GERMAN EXPORTOFWAR MATERIALS ARGENTINA REFUSES ALLIES' REQUEST. (Rec. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) Buenos Ayres, February 18. Argentina has refused a request by the Allies that she should prevent the German exportation of war materials to Argentina, in violation of the-Versailles Treaty. The Government takes the ground that Argentina is not concerned in the stipulations of a treaty to which she is no party.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.