MR. SNOWDEN’S TRIUMPH

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 August 1929, Page 5

MR. SNOWDEN’S TRIUMPH

ALLIES ACCEPT TERMS

LAST HOUR AGREEMENT

(Australian Press Assn.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

THE HAGUE, August 28. It is officially announced that the British delegation state that the basis of the agreement is as follows: — The other creditor Powers, by an adjustment that is to be made with Germany, within the framework of the Young Plan, will provide sums which will enable Britain to receive a total of 96,000,000 marks as an unconditional annuity.

Further, the Italian delegation undertakes that the Italian State Railways will purchase 1,000,000 tons of British coal yearly for a period of three years at the best British free market prices ruling at the date of the contracts. A final agreement is being prepared. The conference continues.

FIRMNESS PAYS.

LONDON, August 28.

The Hague conference has broken up for the night, and the representatives of the five Powers will meet the German delegates in the morning. Mr A. Henderson stated that he considers the settlement is very satisfactory. Mr Snowden was loudly cheered as he left Binnenhof. . It is generally admitted that Mr. Snowden and Mr Graham have won an epic contest by a wonderful rush in the straight at the last lap at 1.35 a.m. . Under the proposed settlement, Britain secures £18,000,000 from sums to be guaranteed by the other creditor Powers. Britain also receives £9,000,000 from the balance of the unconditional annuities under the Young Plan, and finally £2,100,000 to be made available by rearranging (subject to Germany’s consent), the annual amount of the unconditional annuity, without increasing the aggregate total, so that the amount for meeting the services of the Dawes loan will be a fixed sum each year. Thus Britain receives a total of £4,800,000 or 96,000,000 marks. M. Jaspar’s untiring mediation is largely responsible for the settlement.

SOLUTION ACCEPTED.

(Received August 29, 9.30 a.m.) THE HAGUE, August 28 It is agreed that Mr. Snowden gained a great victory. It was he who suggested the decisive meeting, and showed the way to averting the impasse, arising from the Powers’ refusal to believe he meant what he said. The debate began in an atmosphere of gloom and despair. Not one person in ten believed a solution was possible. The dramatic touch came at .midnight, when the Germans were summoned by ’phone, indicating an adjustment of the British and Four Powers’ viewpoint. Both M. Briand and HenStr essemann previously'implored for a settlement to save political and financial chaos. Mr. Snowden followed, assuring that he c esired only a just and equitable treatment to Britain, which, the Young Flan omitted. He then outlined the scheme, which subject to Germany’s consent, gives Britain 80 per cent, of her claims, which was acceptable to him.

SCHEME THAT FAILED.

(Received August 29, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 28.

Great relief, coupled with deep gratification, was expressed throughout political circles to-day as the result of tho tide suddenly turning, and with such a triumphant finale, there is a disposition in London to speak more freely than for some days past. It appears that the big moment which occurred during tho week-end seem to have been the culmination of a cunning French move to entrap Mr. Snowden, by exploiting his determination to such an extent that Mr. would have been forced to'make an eleventhhour intervention and fly to The Hague, but Mr. MacDonald’s further intimation during the week-end, emphatically refusing the merest concession to French demands, caused France, and perhaps Italy, to realise that Britain to a man was behind Mr. Snowden’s claim.

RHINELAND EVACUATION

THE HAGUE, August 28.

It is reported that Germany’s refusal to pay the costs of the Rhineland occupation after September 1, is providing a stumbling block, but M. Loucheur, emerging at luncheon time, whispered that all was going well.

GERMAN OBJECTIONS.

THE HAGUE, August 28

The six Powers’ Conference discussed points of agreement specially affecting Germany, but failed to reach an agreement, Herr Stresemann remarking: “We. fail to agree on a single point.” There will be a further session of the Conference to-morrow.

S. WALES BENEFITS.

(Received August 29, 2.15 p.m.)

X LONDON, August 29. Mr Snowden is to broadcast on The Hague settlement on Monday. The Lord Mayor of London cabled the city’s congratulations on his success and splendid exertions. A prominent Welsh * mine owner points out that Italy’s undertaking to buy a million tons of British coal yearly, means regular employment for four thousand miners, mostly in South Wales.

“GAZETTE” CENSORSHIP

PARIS, August 28.

The Ministry of the Interior has ordered cinemas to refrain from screening news gazettes showing Mr. Snowden at The Hague, because of fears it might provoke hostile demonstrations and perhaps riots. , The police have ordered the cessation of topical insulting songs, decrying Mr Snowden and the British Empire, in numerous cafes.