BRITISH REPLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1923, Page 5

BRITISH REPLY

EXPERT INQUIRY UPHELD. OFFER TO FRANCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 21. The Cabinet, after a protracted meeting, finally approved of the draft of a Note to Germany for submission to the Allies. The greatest secrecy is maintained regarding its terms, but it is understood that, while the British attitude is being maintained, every effort is being made to reconcile the French viewpoint with that of the British. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says that the draft reply assents, in principle, to the German request for an assessment, of Germany’s capacity for payment by an impartial body of experts, but carefully omits to specify the composition of that body. It also suggests that the three types of guarantees offered in the German memorandum will be considered without prejudicing the question of their completeness or sufficiency. The reply is not unfavourable to the German request for a conference with the Allies. It contains no direct condemnation of the passive resistance, but it expresses regret at the calamities created by the Ruhr situation. The reply is much shorter than the memorandum to the Allies.

The “Daily Express” understands that a covering letter expresses the conviction that it is desirable to appoint an international commission to investigate Germany’s capacity to pay reparations, and it indicates that Britain is not in a position to ask the German Government to abandon passive resistance in the Ruhr, because the British Government believes the French occupapation is contrary to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The letter adds that if France is willing to refer the question of the legality of the occupation to The Hague Tribunal, and to abide by its decision, the British Government would press Germany to abandon the passive resistance immediately, and also to abide by The Hague findings. The “Sunday Times’s” Paris correspondent says : What pleases France is the fact that the British Noto -s

couched in such terms as to allow for important modificatons, leaving the door open for further exchanges between the two Governments. A MINISTER’S COMMENT. LONDON, July 22. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, speaking at the Crystal Palace, described the British reply to Germany as an anxiously prepared document. It was a melancholy thought that nearly four years after the war, Europe should still be in a conditon of smouldering war. “We determined to make Qermany pay, bu J we could not help realising that until some stability is established in Europe, the trade of the world can never be satisfactory.” FRENCH PRESS OPINIONS. PARIS, July 22. The British Note has been received at the Quai d’Orsay. M. Poincare, receiving journalists, refused to comment, saying: “If France discloses the contents, England will break negotiations. Likewise, if Britain discloses them, France will break negotiations.” Nevertheless, circumstantial details are in circulation in Paris. These are mainly on the lines U l£ > “DUI- m 1 graph” extract. “La Liberte” says : “It would appear that the chief purpose of ihe British Government is to secure M. Poincare’s adherence by concessions on matters of detail.

“Le Temps” says : The proposed committee of experts to estimate Germany’s capacity to pay, is contrary to the Versailles Treaty, but foreshadows an eventual compromise on the lines that the Reparations Committee has the right to consult specialists of any country upon any request by Germany regarding .means of payment. BELGIUM .FAVOURABLE. BRUSSELS, July 21. The British Note has arrived. Official circles maintain silence, but favourable impressions continue. AMERICAN SILENCE. WASHINGTON, July 21. The State Department announces the receipt of the British Note regarding the Ruhr reparations, but all comment is declined. MARK’S RECORD FALL. LONDON, July 21. The mark yesterday broke all records, once slumping as low as 2,000,000 to £l. Apparently this was caused by the banking troubles in Berlin. The Reichsbank has protested against the large business in marks being done by foreign banks, and threatens re taliatory measures, unless it is checked. The mark closed at 1,550,000 to £l. LU DENDORFF W A R LIKE. BERLIN, July 21. German gymnasts, assembled in Munich, were greeted by General Ludendorff with a wild speech inciting war. lie said: “Germany demands from its youth a burning love of its own country in a war of revenge against the enemy. Gymnastics is only a means to that end. Strengthen your fists and your spirits. It is the spirit which raises the fist and enables it to fall upon the head of the Fatherland’s enemies.” FATAL FOOD RIOTS. BRESLAU, .Inly 21. Six people were killed and seventeen wounded, and a hundred arrests were made during food riots, when sixty shops were pillaged by strikers, who, angry at the rising prices, attacked 11m shops when their wives report,ed that food was still dearer.