NO MORE SACRIFICES!

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1928, Page 7

NO MORE SACRIFICES!

BRITAIN’S PLAIN SPEAKING TO EUROPEAN POWERS (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (By Cable —Press Assn. —Copyright.} (Received September 17, 2 p.m.) GENEVA, September 16. The “Big Six” met in Lord Cushendun’s' room and discussed the evacuation of the Rhineland. They issued a communique nbting the amicable interchange of views thereon, and announcing an agreement on the opening of the official negotiations thereanent, and an agreement on the necessity for a complete settlement of the reparations problem; also the appointment therefore of a financial committee, nominated by the six Governments concerned, who will negotiate the composition, operation and duration of the commission of verification and conciliation.

Lord Cushendun acted as chairman, forming a bridge between the FrancoGerman delegates. Nevertheless, it is definitely stated that the British standpoint, emphasising Britain in accordance with the Balfour vote, could not agree to liquidating the claims of Europe, involving receiving less than she required to pay the United States. Britain must avoid the. danger of FrancoGerman financial experts reaching an agreement, putting her in the disagreeable position of either accepting a solution necessitating great sacrifice, or obstructing the agreement which might be represented, on the basis of European pacification. He, therefore, pointed out that, while willing for British experts to meet others, her position differed from that of other Powers, (because she could not make financial (sacrifices, even at the price of ah agreement. In other matters Britain ■had already made sufficient sacrifices. He also insisted that the financial discussions must not include either a suggestion, or implication, of appeal to America for any remission of the British debts, which Britain was able and determined to pay in full. Lord Cushendun, in the afternoon, received the British journalists, and intimated that the conversations had been held as .the result of Chancellor Mueller’s request. Lord Cushendun disclosed that throughout he had emphasised that the evacuation of at least the second zone should be effected at the earliest opportunity, he had urged M. Briand to agree, because of the .bargaining value. The second zone was nearly evacuated, and it was not 'giving much away, but it would be a clear token of the Allied desire to promote goodwill. He thought we could (then proceed to consider the whole reparations problem. If that were arranged, we could consider the evacuation of the third zone. That course was found impossible at present, apparently, on account of the difficulties in Paris. Perhaps what was arranged would prove equally satisfactory. He added: “The outstanding feature of the sittings, after the first of which I somehow slipped, into the chairmanship, was the good spirit between Chancellor Mueller and M. Briand, and the real desire apparent to do something to improve relations.” Lord Cushendun added that he could hffc say when the' conversations would be renetwed. The first step with regard to reparations was the German production of the plan. Doubt : less, they would lose little time in replying as to whether the Verifications Committee would give cognisance to affairs on the French 'side of the border. If Germany deserved this, it would presumably be discussed when determining the personnel and functions of the committee.

RHINELAND EVACUATION. BERLIN, September 15. The German Cabinet discussed all day the French proposals for the evacuation of the Rhineland. It is understood that the objection will be raised to any civil control of the Rhineland after 1935, when the third zone will be evacuated under the provisions of the Versailles Treaty.