FRANCE AND REPARATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21009, 25 January 1932, Page 12

FRANCE AND REPARATIONS

INTERLOCKED WITH WAR DEBTS STATEMENT BY M. LAVAL Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, January 22. M. Laval, winding up the debate in a crowded Chamber of Deputies, said that France would not allow any treaties to be proscribed and would only accept a reduction of reparations in proportion to reductions of war debts granted to her. The Young Plan , provision could not be modified. France has made many gestures of goodwill to facilitate European union, but she could not agree to anything which would allow Germany alone to dictate the solution. The whole Chamber cheered M. Laval’s emphatic declaration that “ morality cannot be banned from international action, and the same rules of honesty which apply to relations between men should apply to international relations.” He and Mr MacDonald had not yet agreed about a future reparations conference, but it was only a question- of time. Referring to disarmaments, he said that France, while conforming to, the League Covenant, would not accept improvisations which would compromise her security. She had set an example for ten years in reduction of man power and armaments, but she could go no further. She would submit positive proposals for political conditions of mutual assistance and a reduction of armaments would then be easy to, work out. The Chamber expressed confidence in the Government by 303 votes to 265. THE HOOVER MORATORIUM AMERICA AGAINST EXTENSION. WASHINGTON, January 23. Senator Borah has issued a statement against an extension of the Hoover moratorium under the present circumstances. He places the responsib.lity upon France for leadership in Europe at a time when disaster may be impending. Taking issue with M. Laval’s statement of policy, he says: “Why should the Cfnited States be interested in this ? If France would put out a programme th£t pointed towards the rebuilding of Europe I venture the opinion that the Ui-.-ed States would be found extremely interested. The United States has, never, since the world war, hesitated to help When it was required toward real relief in Europe.” The Washington correspondent of the 1 New* York Times ’ states: “ The Government leaders do not disguise their pessimism, which is shared by Senator Borah, over the course of events in Europe during the next few weeks or months should that continent stand on old ground and permit matters to drift, but it was again asserted on authority to-day that if Europe does not act this country will not move even, to prevent a serious crash.” ■

SHORT-TERM DEBTS « STANDSTILL ” AGREEMENT. BERLIN, January 24. The Foreign Creditors Committee has agreed, with the German committee representing debtor interests, to the prolonging for one year from February 29 of the existing “ standstill ” agreement subject to modifications and earlier maturity if unfavourable developments compel the creditors to resume freedom of action. . The short-term debts involved amount to £268,p00,000, which it is, considered that Germany can carry when normality returns. LAUSANNE CONFERENCE LATEST DEVELOPMENT. LONDON, January 24. There will be no conference at Lausanne on Monday. The latest development is that M. Laval and Mr MacDonald will meet at a Channel port during the week to discuss reparations and debts. \ STILL TRYING TO ARRANGE MEETING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 23. (Received January 25, at noon.) The possibility of early meeting between Mr MacDonald and M. Laval is still under consideration. They are endeavouring to arrange a date.