REPARATION PAYMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 20010, 30 October 1928, Page 7

REPARATION PAYMENTS

GERMANY'S AIM Press Association— By Tebgrnpfi—Copyright. LONDON, October 29. (Received October 30, at 9.25 a.m.). The, ‘Daily Telegraph’s' diplomatic correspondent, referring to Germany s proposals for convening a Reparations Copunission, expresses the belief that Berlin will be insistent on fixing the annual payments at £100,000,000. Australian' Press Association. FRANCE ALARMED SUSPICIOUS OF GERMANY'S INTENTIONS. LONDON, October 29, (Received October 30, at 1.45 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of ‘The Times’ says that what, especially alarms French public opinion in the German suggestion to reopen the reparations questions is tho idea of appointing independent exports. Iho idea is considered highly objectionable, because tho Governments would bo responsible for the carrying out of tho experts’ recommendations. These must, therefore, bo under Government control. Additional eauso of nervousness consists in the fear that tho exports might he under German .influence. Tho newspapers arc seriously alarmed, on tho ground that a loophole might ho provided whereby the reparations problem might escape from the control of the Allied Governments. Tho more fact that Germany has taken the firm decision to consult such exports might influence the experts themselves, and thus lead to results favourable to Germany. Tho opinion scmi-officially expressed is that Germany is attempting to obtain decisions which she would describe as impartial, but which France would regard as a further whittling down of the Allied claims. Paris is anxious to make it clear to tho world that, whatever Berlin or Mr Parker Gilbert desires, nobody, has yet been committed to any particular "procedure. Each Government must remain free to defend its own. interests. Certainly, general conversations have begun in Paris, London, and Berlin, but no decisions have been taken. Tho general opinion in Franco is that reparations and evacuation must be kept separate. If Germany wants earlier evacuation she must pay for it.—London ‘ Times ’ Cable.