“THE DOOR WIDE OPEN”

Dominion, Volume 17, Issue 292, 27 August 1923, Page 7

“THE DOOR WIDE OPEN”

GERMANY READY TO WORK in HARMONY WITH ENGLAND AND FRANCE WILL MAKE HEAVY SACRIFICES BUT RUHR POLICY MUST BE CHANGED In a speech which is declared by a French newspaper to leave the door wide open for conversations, the German Chancellor said that Germany wished to work in harmony with England and France. If certain principles were accepted, he stated, a way could be found of turning Germany’s last remaining source of strength into a real guarantee of fulfilment of her reparation obligations.

By Tzlegrkm.-Peess Association, -copraiOHT.

(Rec. August 26, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, August 25, The Chancellor. Herr Stresemann, in a speech insisted that as long as the French pursued their present policy in the Rhineland and Ruhb, the way would be barred to any practical solution that Germany could laocept. He declared that the present Government adhered fully to Herr Cuno’s memorandum of June 7, to which, to tueir regret, no reply had been from the Allied Powers. He admitted that the possibilities of Germany s economic forces were potentially good and asserted that the Allies need only accept the principles laid down in the memorandum in order to find, in collaboration with Germany, ‘ a way ot turning our last remaining source ot strength into a real guarantee of Germany’s fulfilment of her reparation obligations.” He denied that Germany had deliberately depreciated her currency. The Government, he said, was not afraid of confiscation of property it necessary, but hoped that such a drastic step would be unnecessary. He would not discuss M. Poincare’s .Note, but if the terms of the British Note were carried out it would be possible for tie nations to live peacably. Germany was ready to make heavy sacrifices, even to the extent of pawning some of her industries, in order to regain her freedom, but not the Rhineland and Ruhr. Germany was not desirous of smashing the Entente, but wished to work in harmony with England and France. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , . [The memorandum referred to in the above message first requested a coni ferenoe to discuss the best method of paying the reparations, Germany’s liability for reparations being again acknowledged. The Note reiterated Germany’s willingness to accept the decision of an impartial international tribunal, to which it was wiling to supply all the available information from which Germany’s capacity to pay could be realiablv judged. The Note proposed the following guarantees as part of a definite reparation settlement:— (1) The railway system to be held in a separate fund and obligations to be Issued up to 10,000 million gold marks carrying interest at 5 per cent, from July 1. 1927, thus semiring an annual payment of 500 million gold marks: (2) a first mortgage for 10,000 million gold marks on industrial real estate; (3) two hundred million gold marks to be raised from Customs duties on imported articles of consumption other than necessaries, excise on tobacco, wine, beer, and sugar, and receipts from the spirits monopoly.] SATISFACTION IN FRANCE "DOOR LEFT WIDE OPEN” (Rec. August 26, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, August 25. M. Poincare left to-day to unveil monuments in the Department of the Meuse. Tt is expected that ho will answer Herr Stresemann, whose speech has given satisfaction in France. “Le Journal” says that the speech is not aggressive and shows a real desire for solution of the reparations problem. “Le Matin” declares: “Herr Stresemann leaves the door wide open for conversations with the Allies and even with France.”—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. POINCAIRE’S NOTE IMMEDIATE ANSWER NOT LIKELY MANY COMPLEX QUESTIONS INVOLVED London, August 24. There is no prospwl of an immediate unsww to the French Note. Careful consideration is required for the many complex questions involved. The Cabinet is unlikely to meet for some davs. especially as it is desired to have Belgium's reply, which will not reach London before Monday. A high authority, <x>mrnenting on the French Note, says that what perplexes the British authorities fs the reiterated statement that the British advances for the purpose of reaching a settlement represent rm sacrifices on Britain’s part. “France wants 26,000 million gold marks first, leaving her debts to bo met bv subsequent contribution,” he snvs. "Whether the latter can be /•<>l | i«’ted or no! is another matter Yet we are told that Britain’s motive is money.” Tn actual truth, this country had relinquished a sum almost equivalent to the amount required by France to rebuild her devastated regions. Were France prepared to make a corresponding contribution towards rehabilitating Europe generally, genuine progress would bo made toward* foiving the fconomfc problem confronting both countries.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Ason.

FRENCH PRESS COMMENT “WAY FOR AGREEMENT OPEN” " London, August 24. The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says there are abundant Press comments on M. Poincare s Note. They give special prominence first to the declaration that France will be unable to pay the principal:or interest of her debt to Britain until full reparations are received from Germany; secondly. it is declared that both sides having stated their cases and figures to the world, the way for an agreement is now open; thirdly, that no useful purpose can be served by a further exchange of notes. Even the Radical Press refrains from criticisuig M. Poincare. M. Herriot. Leader of the Left, who hopes to succeed M. Poincare, writing in the “Nouvelle.” while emphasising Britain’s financial and economic difficulties, argues that M. Poincare’s Charleville speech on August 19 indicated the only helpful way out, when he pleaded for a search for a practical solation instead of continuing the controversies. The “Temps” says: “Britain’s claim for 5 per cent, interest meant an annual payment of 740 million gold marks for sixty years. As neither France nor Italy will pay up till they havle recovered the equivalent ’from Germany, how does Britain hope to extract this interest from Germany, 0 addition to the reparations due te the Allies?” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ITALIAN DISAPPROVAL Rome, August 24. The newspapers generally disapprove of M. Poincare’s reply. Tho “Tribuna” sees no hope of a speedv reconciliation between France and England. The “Vorriere Italiano,” a Government organ, says that France’s intention to remain in the Ruhr until she is paid means half a century of oo cupation. It is sheer hypocrisy for M. Poincare to pretend that France is not seeking annexation. The “Enoca” thinks that M. Poincare’s self-evident -nolio.y is to create nn indenendent Rhineland, with the Saar Valiev included, which will eventually become a great French industrial republic.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, THE BRITISH OBJECTS NO PRO-GERMAN VIEW i ' (Rec. August 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 25. The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Phillip Lloyd-Greame), speaking at Aberdeen, referred to the Government’s policy on reparations, and declared that the British case would never represent the pro-German view. Our objects, he said were to obtain the maximum amount from Germany in the most rapid and effective way, and to secure the establishment of stable conditions in Europe. The most important guarantee would bo effective control of German finance, without which it would bo impossible to stabilise the German exchange. There must also, concurrently with the settlement of the reparations question, bo the establishment of effective security against aggression.—Aug.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LLOYD GEORGE’S COMMENT London, August 24. Mr. Lloyd George, commenting on the French Note, says: “M. Poincare regards this exchange of bolstered Notos as a pillow fight, and is quite prepared to continue in order to gam time, while the real struggle is developing to its destined end. The prominence given here to the fact that the reply is courteous is significant of Ue pitiable condition to which the Entente ba<- been brought by these maladroit negotiations.” — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BELGIAN NOTE DIRECT CONVERSATIONS URGED (Roo August 26, 5.5 p m.) Brussels, August 25. The Belgian Note sent to Paris comprises thirty-five pages. It points out that definite information is now forthcoming as to the sums due to the different Allies, and urges that it would be beat now to abandon the system o# aotam nod adopt direct conversations between Brftish ( French. Belgian and Italian Ministers. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE MISCHIEF OF THE RUHR

WHAT WILL BE STEP ?

THE NEW CHANCELLOR’S OPPORTUNITY

[The following and all Lloyd George articles copyright by United Press of America in all countries, copyright in Australasia by Australian Press, copyright in Britain by "Daily Chronicle" Reproduction tn full or in pa-rt prohibited.!

(Rec. August 26, 5.5 p.m.)

London, August 25

Mr. Lloyd George’s twenty-fifth article discusses the effects of tho Ruhr occupation. He asks : — What will Mir. Baldwin or Lord Curzon do next? Much depends for Europe on that next step and some thing for them also hangs upon their action or inaction. A new factor that may have a determining influence on events is the succession of Herr Stresemann to the German Chancellorship. He is generally supposed to be a man of energy, courage and resource. If that is true, his appointment may be an event of ths first magnitude. Wo shall soon know what he ia made of. •Germany has suffered, more from weak or misguided leadership in recent years than anv great country in the world. It blundered her into the war, it blundered her through war, it blundered into the armistice, it blundered djjring the peace negotiations and blundered her affairs badly after the peace. Bvt none can predict what Germany ir capable of with wise and strong leadership. Herr Stresemann has an opportunity afforded him such as has not been given to any statesman since the days of Stein and his coadjutors for the regeneration of Germany and for lifting her out of the slough of despond in which she has beep sinking deeper and deeper. The fall of Herr Cuno and the rise of Herr Stresemann may be a more decisive event than the dispatch of the Curznn Note. but if he lacks those rare qualities, which alone can inspire people in an emergency to heroic action and endurance, then there is nothing but chaos in front of Germany. For the moment it is more important to keep a discerning eve on Herr Stresemann than to nemse those endless notes and speeches. How Britain has Suffered. It is not often that I find myself in agreement with M. Poincare, but when he says the British unemployment is not attributable to the occupation of the Ruhr I am in entire accord with him. We are more dependent on our overseas trade, export, entrepot, shipping and incidental business than any country in the world. Nearly half our industrial and commercial activities are associated with outside trade in all its forms. Before the French ever entered the . Ruhr our overseas trade was down to 75 per cent, of its pre-war level. Our population has increased by two millions since 1913, our taxation has increased fourfold, and our national debt has increased tenfold, but our 1 business is down 25 per cent. This I fall is a direct consequence of the war. I Our customers throughout Europe I are impoverished. Until Europe can buy Australia. Canada, India, and China cannot pay. As Mr. Baldwin has pointed out in a speech in the House of Commons, Germany before the war bought Australian wool, Canadian grain. Indian jute and tea. and the proceeds as often ns not went to pay for goods bought by these countries in British markets. The purchasing capacity of Europe must therefore bo replenished. That must, at the best,” take roars of patient industry. The mischief of the Ruhr does not lie in the creation of bad trade, but in retarding the progress of recovery. Progress Arrested. Before the French entered the Ruhr, trade was improving all round. Something has happened to arrest progress. This is where the Ruhr comes in. During these last disturbing months. Germany has become appreciably poorer. These things aro hidden from France. She is a more self-contained country than Britain, perhaps also more self-centred. Events after tho Napoleonic wars drained her of her best manhood, and exhausted her fine j nervous virility. She suffered from no internal economic depression. Her great and victorious rival across the Channel lumbered painfully through fifteen years of misery, poverty and distress. We had fought them for i twenty years with inveterate pertinacity, beaten them to the ground and occupied their capital. To-dav we suffer because we helped to save their capital from foreign occupation and their country ffom being humbled to the dust by u foreign foo. Neither in French speeches, notes, nor articles, is any appreciation shown of the cardinal fact in. the situation. | All that is clear at the moment ia the stubbornness of the French attitude. M. Poincare has not receded one millimetre from his origin:'! position. Lord Balfour, on behalf of the British Government, offered to forgo all I claims if Britain was spoored against 1 the American doKF. That meant a j surrender aggregating 3000 millions in ’ return for 1000 millions sterling The - Curzon Note proposes « surrender of I all for 710 millions. The Ruhr occupation has already brought down | the British claim by 290 millions M. Poincare mav not be able to extract reparations from Germany, hut in seven months he has yuoceeded in forcing 990 millions out of Britain. Ho will certainly ask for more and will nroh.ghlv gut it. Mr. T,n.w was richt when ho said that under certain conditions Britain wonVI hr, tho only country to nav its war indemnify Those conditions have arisen nnripr his successors.—Aus.N 7, Cable As«n.