RHINELAND AND REPARATIONS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 299, 18 September 1928, Page 11

RHINELAND AND REPARATIONS

PROBLEMS DISCUSSED BY BIG SIX AGREEMENT REACHED ON IMPORTANT POINTS COMMISSION OF VERIFICATION TO BE APPOINTED The representatives at Geneva of Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, and Germany considered the question of the evacuation of the Rhineland, and after an amicable exchange of views reached an agreement on certain important points. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

(Britisli Official Wireless.) Rugby, September 16. A meeting further to discuss the question of the evacuation of the Rhineland took place at the Hotel Beau Rivage. Geneva, this morning, and lasted three hours. There were present: Lord Cusliendun (Britain), JI. Briand (France), M. Hymans (Belgium), Signor Sciaioja (Italy), and Baron Aclatehi (Japan), with the German Chancellor, Herr Mueller. The following official communique was afterwards issued: “At the conclusion of the third conversation, which has taken place to-day, the representatives of Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy, and Japan are able to record with satisfaction the friendly conditions under which the exchange of views has taken place concerning the important question under consideration. "An agreement has been readied between them on the following points:— (1) The opening of official negotiations relating to the request put forward by the German Chancellor regardffig the early evacuation of tlie Rhineland. (2) Tlie necessity for the complete and definite settlement of the reparations problem and for the constitution for this purpose of a committee of financial experts, to lie nominated by the six Governments. (3) The acceptance .f the principle of the constitution of a Commission of '-education aqd conciliation, the composition, mode or operation, objects, and duration of such a Commission to form the subject of negotiations between the Governments concerned. Lord Cusliendun. acting-British Foreign Secretary, entertained tlie other foreign Ministers to luncheon. M. Briand. the French Foreign Minister. on leaving the Hotel Beau Ravage. said that he was entirely satisfied with the results attained. He thought the results constituted the best augury for the complete and final settlement of all outstanding questions between France and Germany. The meeting had been most cordial, and all the delegates were grateful to Lord Cusbendun for the manner in which he had presided over the negotiations. Herr Mueller will leave to-night for Berlin. BRITAIN’S FINANCIAL SACRIFICES NOT PREPARED TO MAKE MORE CLEAR DECLARATION BY CUSHENDUN (Australian Press Association.) Geneva, September 16. Lord Cusliendun acted as chairman of the meeting, forming a bridge between France and Germany. Nevertheless, he definitely stated the British standpoint, emphasising that Britain, in accordance with the Balfour Note, could not agree to liquidating her claims on Europe if they involved receiving less than she was required to pay the United States. Britain must avoid the danger of French and German experts reaching an agreement that would put Britain in the disagreeable position of either accepting a solution necessitating a great sacrifice or of obstructing an agreement which might be represented as the basis of European pacification. He therefore pointed out that while willing that British experts should meet the others. Britain’s position differed now from that of other Powers, because she could not make financial sacrifices, even as the price of agreement in other matters. Britain bad already made sufficient sacrifices. He also insisted that the financial discussions must not include, either by suggestion or implication, an appeal to America for any remission of British debts, which Britain was able and determined to pay in full.

Evacuation of Second Zone Urged. Lord Cusliendun in the afternoon received British journalists. lie intimated that the conversations were Hie result of Herr Mueller's request. Lord Cusliendun disclosed that lie throughout had emphasised that the evacuation of at least the second zone should be effected as early as possible. He had urged M. Briand to agree because of the bargaining value. The second zone was nearly evacuated, and it was really nor giving much away, but it would be a clear token of the Allied desire to promote goodwill. “I thought we could then proceed to consider tlie whole reparations problem. If that were arranged, we could consider the evacuation of Hie third zone. That course was found impossible, apparently on account of the difficulties in Paris. Perhaps what was arranged will prove equally satisfactory." Desire to Improve Relations. Lord Cusliendun added tliat the outstanding feature of Hie sittings, after the first of which "I somehow slipped into the chairmanship.” was the good spirit of Herr Mueller and M. Briand and their real desire, which was apparent. to do something to improve relations. Lord Cusliendun added that be could not say when the conversations would be renewed. Tlie first step in regard to reparations was tlie German production of a plan. Doubtless, they would lose little time by replying. Whether the Verification Committee would take cognisance of affairs on the French side of the border, if Germany desired, tills would presumably be discussed when they were determining tlie personnel and functions,'of tlie committee. BRIAND SATISFIED WITH RESULT MUELLER DISAPPOINTED (Australian Press assn. — United Service.) Geneva, September 16. JI. Briand. in a statement to French journalists, declared himself very satisfied with Hie result of Hie Rhineland conversations. He said lie was confident Hint the forthcoming negotiations would prove equally satisfactory. Herr Mueller, interviewed by German pressmen, expressed disappointment with tlie “meagre results" of the conversations. He had expected something more definite regarding the evacuation of the Rhineland and Hie powers of the Verification Committee. GERMAN CABINET’S ATTITUDE OBJECTION TO ANY CIVIL CONTROL (Australian Press Association.) Berlin, September 16. The German Cabinet held a daylong discussion on the French proposals for the evacuation of tlie Rhineland. It is understood that they will object to any civil control of the Rhineland after 1935, when the third zone is to be evacuated under the Versailles Treaty. GERMAN PRESS VIEWS DISAPPOINTMENT WITH AGREEMENT (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. September 17, 10.25 p.m.) Berlin, September 17. The earliest comments show disappointment with the Geneva agreement. “Die Welt am Jlontag” says: "Nothing has been accomplished except a decision for new negotiations, the result of which is not predictable. France must be told that Germany would rather bear tlie occupation till 1935 than agree to obligations beyond the Versailles Treaty as the price of earlier evacuation.

“Der Montag” describes the agreement as dangerous for Germany.