DANUBIAN CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1932, Page 7

DANUBIAN CONFERENCE

THE BRITISH ATTITUDE [OFFICIAL WIBELESS.] RUGBY, April 8. The Four Power Conference’s decision on the Powers to issue to each other a statement of their views as to solving the Danubian problem is to be at once put into effect by the British Government. The condition of the Danubian States, and particularly of Austria and Hungary, has been the cause of anxiety here for some months. Practical measures for easing the situation have been .under constant examination since January, and assistance by means of loans has already been forthcoming. The British Ministers, however, do not disguise their disappointment that the Four Power Conference has not marked a more definite advance in further measures for the assistance of which the Danubian States stand in need, but they do not regard the result as entirely discouraging. Already observations resulting from the recent study of the problem, together with points which emerged during the past week’s conversations, are being correlated. They will be supplemented by further detailed information, and embodied in-a statement of policy to be sent the other three Powers by the British Government. The British Government still believe that the most practical course is for the Danubian States to seek an agreement amongst themselves, and for the great Powers to consider together the most appropriate measures of assistance and guidance. The British Government take the view that if a beginning could be obtained for this group idea, it would speedily develop into a system of mutual help with great benefit to the cause of the European restoration. They nevertheless have maintained open minds, and will readily consider any proposal that promises desired results. The question of waiving temporarily, by helping the Governments, of the “most favoured” rights is one of the points on which differences have occurred, and it must be considered at future discussions that at least one of the Powers represented will be unable to give a definite reply to such proposal; but it has not been definitely abandoned. The Conference also showed that the complex question of differentiation in the scale preferences as between the different classes of goods exchanged among the Danubian States has raised issues upon which further examination is necessary. The fact that there was no lack of goodwill or determination to reach a solution encouraged the conferences delegates to hope that, as a result of further exchanges of views, now to be undertaken by other means, a practical policy may yet be evolved.

FRENCH WOMAN ARRESTED

PARIS, April 9

As it' was believed that she was about to publish, in her financial weekly paper “Forces,” details from a secret document that was lost from the office of the Finance Minister (M. Flandin), the police arrested Madame Hanau on a charge of theft of public documents. She is also accused of attempting to depress the Stock Exchange by articles professing to expose the real motive behind Premier Tardieu’s Danube .plan.

It is recalled that Madame Hanau was charged with fraud in connection with her “Gazette Du France,” and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. She had served eighteen months in prison, but was released when,she lodged an appeal, which is still pending. Police confiscated an issue of “Forces” in which Madame Hanau is said to allege that M. Tardieu’s plan aims at securing loans for the Danube States, and that those loans would be for the purpose of enriching ■French armament manufacturers.