THE ALLIES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 August 1924, Page 9

THE ALLIES

TRIBUTE TO MR. MACDONALD. GERMANY MUST PLAY HER PART MAKING HISTORY. THE RIGHT SPIRIT. IMPORTANT REPORTS. BY GABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received Ang. 4, 11.15 a.m. PARIS, Aug. 3. M. Herriot, interviewed by the Petit Parisien’s London correspondent, attributed the success of the conference primarily to Mr MacDonald, who bad shown himself a great statesman. The future would show that the decisions taken were not only in conformity with the interests of the British, but were likely to he a powerful force for the promotion of the cause of peace. Complete cordiality prevailed throughout the conference. They felt that peace was now possible, and it was now for Germany to show herself equally wise and bring about- the final re-establish-ment of peace in Europe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LONDON, Aug. 3. The. most important section of the Allied Conference report is that of the first committee, which provides that if a German default is reported under the Dawes scheme the matter shall go before the Reparations Commission, with an American member added. If the commission fails to reach a unanimous decision any commissioner' may appeal within eight days to an arbitral tribunal consisting of the .American President and two other independent impartial members, .whose decision shall be final. The members of the tribunal are to be nominated for five years by the unanimous decision of the Reparations Commission, or failing that, by the President of the World Court at The Hague. There can be no question of sanctions unless a default is decided through this machinery. Once a default is registered the Allies will confer as to the nature of the sanctions and the method of effective application. The service of £40,000,000 to Germany is to eniov absolute priority. The third committee recommends, inter alia, that Germany he asked to accept a proposal for ‘the establish°f a committee, equally with the Allies and the Germans, with- power to co-operate with a neutral in the event of a difference to ensure the observance of reparation deliveries ami commercial contracts, and also provides machinery to- prevent defects in the working of the plan for German payments and the. detection of fraud in deliveries through German financial manoeuvres. Provision will be made that the Reparations Commission, plus an American member, shall have the right to make any necessary modifica- !. u the Dawes scheme on the application of any interested Goveriiment. If it is not unanimous, or the decision is not acceptable to Germany the matter shall be referable to- the arbitral committee as in the case of a German default. It is commonly expected that the German delegation will immediately raise the question of the occupation of the Luhr and the retention of 4000 I ranco-Belgian railwaymen ' there Keuter. An official communique says that the conference adopted the rebort of the* first committee without dismission. The report of the Third Committee iva.s adopted alter minor emendations Mr Dalai represented the Dominions. Sir James Allen and Sir Eclg.v Walton were unavoidably absent. The jurists so tar have not decided whether decisions ot the reparation commission are to be unanimous or by majority. Mr MacDonald has sent an invitation to the Germans expressing a hope that theii delegation "would arrive in London at an early date.

Appended fo the communique age the reports of the First and Third Committees, which are substantfially as already cabled.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. It is the greatest success of all the Allied gatherings since Versailles, said Colonel Logan, United States delegate, after yesterday’s sitting of the interAllied, Conference. Within half an hour a. foreign office messenger was on his wav to the German Embassy with an invitation to the German Government to send delegates to London. By a, dramatic coincidence they are destined to arrive- on or about the anniversary of Britain’s war declaration. He expects the conference will conclude on Friday or Saturday, and if there is no hitch at the eleventh hour, which is most improbable, it will certainly rank among the world's most historic, events. The most noteworthy feature since initiation has been the tackling of problems bv new men, M Herriot and Mr. MacDonald, fromVey, viewpoints, and the delegates’ ferventwill to agree. No body or men ever worked harder for peace. The committees have been sitting day and iiight, botli the British and French making concessions in the interest of a final settlement, the extent of which may be judged by M Herriot’s remark last 'night: ‘‘Now Satan alone can separate us. Tf in our desire for tranquillity we have been too magnanimous, may history absolve us from blame.”

The British view, however, while acknowledging the French advances, says that Fiance will not regret the terms which reunite the Allies as firmly as when facing a common foe. The terms of the agreement are naturally lengthy and complicated, but the principal feature is the extent whereto arbitration has been resorted to.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

As to the question of Germany’s, possible default involving consequent sanctions, Germany’s cash transfers—by which is meant methods of payment to the Allies and Germany’s deliveries in kind—if is provided ‘in the conference report that m nil cases of arbitration the chairman shall he an American, and in the event of anv commission being unable to nominate its own arbitrators tliev shall he appointed bv the President of the World Court at The Hague. Regarding the Toan, the Allies agree to safeguard any specific securities pledged to the service of the loan in Hie event of sanctions being applied.