REPARATION PAYMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 April 1924, Page 5

REPARATION PAYMENTS

GERMANY’S FIRST CONDITIONS

CHANCELLOR’S INTIMATION.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, April 29. The “Times’s” Berlin correspondent says: Germany has laid her cards on the table, and will only carry out the experts’ proposals, if certain preliminary • conditions, which she lays down, are complied with. These were definitely indicated by Chancellor Marx in a .speech at Dusseldorf, in which he declared : “It goes without saying that the experts’ report cannot be accepted on the spot, but will be subject to long negotiations. The war, which has raged under the veil of peace, must be finally ended. In future there must be no more expulsions, and the prisons must deliver up their political captives. The economic, fiscal and . administrative fiesdom of the occupied territories muff be restored. These are nbt requests to be granted after we have completed the payments contemplated in the' report; they are the preliminary conditions which must be granted before there can be any execution of the experts’ proposals.”

This declaration is most important, for it is a clear indication of the manner in which the German Government intends to proceed. /

“NEW DOOR TO PEACE.’’

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatioi .)

LONDON, April 28. “Let there be no doubt about it,” said Mr MacDonald in his speech, “the proposed settlement, if not taken advantage of by' European statesmen, would be one of the most God-sent opportunities ever neglected.” He declared that the last, thing he wanted was for France to be isolated. He wanted M. Poincare to know that, so far as her security was concerned, France had no better friend than Britain. He was profoundly convinced that the experts’ reports joined with four years experience, would make both France and ourselves see that by common friendship,/ working with Italy, Belgium, and the small nationalities they were offering Germany a real chance to make a. pledge and keep it. Only in that open and friendly ’ Allied way could we , open a new door to peace happiness and international co-operation.

FRANCO-BELGIAN CONFERENCE

LONDON, April 28. The “Daily Herald” Paris correspondent says:—“l understand M. Theunis and M. Hymans and IVI. Poincare failed to reach an agreement on many points. The Belgians urged that the experts’ report should be acted upon immediately, and the Franco-Belgian Army of Occupation withdrawn from the Ruhr progressively, but rapidly. Regarding a possible German default, (fihe Belgians suggested France should rely on England’s good faith, rather than a list of eventual sanctions. Briefly the Belgians regard the Ruhr occupation as finished.

M. Poincare emphasised the risks of a Ruhr surrender. Marshall Foch joined the conference in the afternoon, affirming that it would be dangerous to evacuate the Ruhr in view of the military preparations that are suspected in Germany. The Belgians remained unconvinced. The conversations will be resumed after their visit to London.

PARTS, April 28. It is understood in French diplomatic circles that M. Poincare, M. Theunis, and M. Hymans agreed, firstly, rigidly to insist that Germany put the experts’ plan into operation before the present control measures in the Ruhr and Rhineland can be withdrawn.

Secondly that the re-establishment of economic and fiscal unity in Germany does 'not (necessarily involve the automatic cessation of the military occupation of the Ruhr. Thirdly, the fiaijway oommun Ration of the Occupation troops must be safeguarded, and not be dependent on German railwaymen..

BRITISH OPTIMISM.

LONDON, April 29.

Official opinion in Downing Street iA most optimistic concerning the spirit of the Allies’ reparations replies, and considers M. Poincare’s letter is unlikely to create discord. It believes that the way will presently be clear for a settlement. NEW GERMAN LAWS'. BERLIN, April 29. The Government has completed drafts of the laws necessary to ensure the carrying out of the experts’ plans. These are being submitted to Paris, in time for the Commission’s meeting. DEPORTATION CLAIMS. LONDON, April 29. The “Daily Express’s” Geneva correspondent reports that’ eighty thousand Belgians are bringing an action against Germany, owing to illegal deportations during tlie war, and are claiming indemnities totalling several milions sterling. A case will be heard by a mixed German-Belgian tribunal. All the parties have agreed to accept the verdict. Professor Moriand, of Geneva, will preside.