THE EXPERTS’ REPORT

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 184, 30 April 1924, Page 7

THE EXPERTS’ REPORT

DEMAND OF FRENCH AND BELGIAN MINISTERS GERMANY TO PUT PLAN INTO OPERATION BEFORE CONTROL MEASURES IN RUHR AND RHINELAND WITHDRAWN At a meeting in Paris of French and Belgian Ministers the experts’ reports on German finance were discussed., and it is understood in French diplomatic circles that it was agreed to insist that Germany should put the experts’ plan into operation before the control measures in the Ruhr and the Rhineland could be withdrawn. It is reported -that Marshal Foch attended the conference and declared that evacuation of the Ruhr would be dangerous in view of the suspected military preparations in Germany.

By Telf.gba.fh—Press Association Copyright.

Paris, April 28.

M. Theunis and M. Hymans have arrived from Brussels, and have conferred with M. Poincare at the Quai d’Orsay (Foreign Office). They emphasise the fact that the conversations do not constitute a formal conference, but merely an exchange of views prior to their visit to London. They state that Belgium thus marks her solidarity with France, though she cannot be expected to neglect her own interests. They denied that the object of the Paris visit is to mediate between France and Britain.—Reuter.

(Rec. April 29, 8.15 p.m.) Paris, April 28. Both sides express complete satisfaction, and say that a perfect identity of views prevails, following a meeting of over three hours of the four FrancoBelgian principals and the leads of all French departments concerned in the experts’ report, which, -t is understood, was discussed in all aspects.— Reuter.

(Rec. April 30'. 0.55 a.m.) Paris, April 28. It is understood in French diplomatic circles that Al AL Poincare, Theunis, and Hymans agreed firstly to rigidly insist that Germany put the experts’ plan into operation before the. present control measures in the Ruhr and the Rhineland can be withdrawn, secondly, the re-establishment of the economic and fiscal unity of Germany does not necessarily involve the automatic cessation of the military occupation of the Ruhr; thirdly, the railway communications and the occupation troops must be safeguarded and not be dependent on German railwaymen. —Reuter. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ON MANY POINTS FOCH ON THE RUHR OCCUPATION (Rec. April 29, 7.10 p.m.) London, April 29. The “Daily Herald’s” Paris correspondent says: “I understand that MM. Theunis, Hymans, and Poincare failed to reach agreement on many points. The Belgians urged that the experts report should be acted upon immediately, and the Franco-Belgian armj r of occupation withdrawn. from the Ruhr progressively, but rapidly. Begarding a possible German default, the Belgians suggested that France should rely on England’s good faith rather than risk a fresh rupture by framing a list of eventual sanctions. “Briefly, the Belgians regard the Ruhr occupation as finished. Al. Poincare emnhasised the risks of a Ruhr surrender. Marshal Foch joined the conference in 1 afternoon. He affirmed that it was dangerous to evacuate the Ruhr in view of the military preparations suspected in Germany. The Belgians remained unconvinced, and the conversations will be resumed after their visit to London.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. “A GOD-SENT OPPORTUNITY” MR. MACDONALD’S OPINION (Rec. April 29, 8.15 p.m.) London, April 28. “Let there be no doubt about it.” said Air. MacDonald, in a speech, “the settlement, if not taken advantage of by European statesmen, would be"one of the most God-sent opportunities ever neglected and lost.” He declared that the last thing he wanted was France to be isolated. He

wanted Al. Poincare to know that so far as her security was concerned 1 France had no better friend than Brit- • ain. He was profoundly convinced that the experts’ reports joined with tlie four years’ experience, would make . both France and ourselves see that by common friendship, working with Italy and Belgium, and the small nationalities. Germany was being offered a real chance to make a pledge, and ; keep it. “Only in that open, friendly, allied way, can we open a new door to peace, happiness, and international co-operation.”—Reuter. FRENCH REPLY DISAPPOINTS GERMANY FRANCE’S WAR DEBT London, April 27. The Berlin correspondent of "Tho Times” states that Germany is disappointed by the French reply, to the Reparation Commission. It is rcted ■that Al. Poincare was careful io avoid using the word “accept,” and the inference drawn from his reservations is that he is again trying a “sabotage solution.” The “Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” sees, as tho reason for this, the fact . that the inter-Allied debts exceed- any sum the Allies can hops to extracti from Germany, and that if the rrpara-; tions question is settled in regard to Germany, France will find debt collectors on her doorstep with a bill for, more than France can ever get from Germany. Hence, it argues, M. Poin- ; care’s desire to forgo reparations and continue to pursue a violent policy of sanctions for security. Meanwhile, the attitude of .the German Government remains unchanged. 1 It agrees that the experts’ report is the sole basis of a solution of the reparations question, and claims the right to be heard in anv negotiations on an ; equal footing.—“ The Times.”

SECRET MURDER SOCIETY FOR REMOVAL OF TRAITORS ' TO COMMUNIST PARTY London, April 28. The Berlin correspondent oi the "Daily Chronicle” states that the Stuttgart police have discovered a , “secret terror murder society” worked . on the lines of the Russian Cheka, : and operating throughout Germany. Ju . | is aimed at the removal of traitors to i the Communist Party and its dangerous I opponents. The leader, a Russian, has ; been arrested in Berlin. The members . of the society are well supplied with. funds, and well armed with hand grenades, dumdum bullets, and dysentery, typhus, and cholera bacilii, enough to 1 wipe out whole towns. A list of persons condemned to death has been seized. The names included those of General Von Seekt and the Minister of the Interior at AVurtcmberg.—Aus.- t N.Z. Cable Assn. > THE HITLER RISING PARTICIPANTS SENTENCED (Rec. April 29. 8.15 p.m.) Berlin, April 28. A number of participants _ in the famous Hitler November rising has been sentenced at Munich to 15 to IS months in a fortress. All were released on parole.—Reuter.