INTOLERABLE! WHILE THE FRENCH RUINS REMAIN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 108, 8 May 1923, Page 7

INTOLERABLE!

WHILE THE FRENCH RUINS REMAIN

GERMANY BUILDS'FACTORIES

REPLY TO THE LATEST OFFER,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIRIGHT.)

(ABSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CAIU ASSOCIATION.)

(Received Bth May, 11 a.m.)

PARIS, 7th May.

The Franco-Belgian reply to the German Note has been handed to the German Charge d'Affaires. It commences with a denial of the German assertion that France and Belgium have contravened the Treaty of Versailles, and says that, on the other hand, several of Germany's proposals are in direct opposition to clauses of the Treaty. "The reply insists that that seizure of places had been carried out without'the slightest violence on tho part of France and Belgium, and that it was only orders from Berlin that prevented the collaboration of German workers, traders, and engineers with tho French and Belgians. It is argued'that the Germans' resistance has been more active than passive and the reply adds that France and Belgium cannot consider any German proposals while this violent resistance continues. Germany's proposals, from several points of view, are entirely unacceptable. The total amount offered does not represent a quarter of the sum fixed by the Reparations Commission, and recognised by Germany as the amount of her debt to the Allies. France and Belgium cannot accept any reduction of the debt— they must have tho money to pay for the disaster inflicted by the German inyasion. 'The reply adds:— While the devastated regions are allowed to remain in devastation, Germany continues to build factories in the Ruhr and elsewhere. France and Belgium will not tolerate this injustice. Germany is really demanding a complete moratorium of four and a half years. There is no guarantee that France's milliards will bo paid at the-date indicated, and despite all the Allies have done to encourage Germany to restore her finances and stabilise her mone- . tary system the Germans give no indication of how they are going to do this, nor what legislative measures they are prepared to take, nor the resources they will use to guarantee a loan. France and Belgium went to the Ruhr to place a hand on their guarantee, and the .territory will be evacuated only as reparations are paid off."