THE POWERS’ OFFER

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 19 August 1929, Page 5

THE POWERS’ OFFER

REGARDED AS INADEQUATE. BRITAIN - ’S RIGHTS DEMANDED. MR. SNOWDEN'S REPRY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Aug. 17. At The Hague to-dav proceedings were largely argumentaltive. Yesterday’is proposals on .behalf of the four Powers having "been reduced to 'writing, the Rt. Hon. Philip SnoAvden today despatched a written reply to M. Jaapar, the gist of which tv as that the proposals were entirely inadequate and unsatisfactory. A more serious effort must be made to meet British requirements if the .conference was going to succeed. Mr Snpwden ’3 reply pointed out that the BriWsh Government aaxis meroly demanding rights to Avhich it Avas already entitled under existing agreements. Britain’s original share under the Spa percentages be restored or its equivalent given; she must also recoA'er something like her full percentage of unconditional annuities. Mr 'Snowden again refutes the contention that 'the Young plan must he taken as a whole, and reminds the other Powers that the experts ’ recommendations were net'er binding on

Great Britain. His reply argues the subject statistically alt some length in order to prove the sacrifices Britain is being asked to make. Dealing Avith the apportionment of unconditional annuities Mr SnoAvden says it is impossible to reconcile Franco’s increased allotment Avith ithe promise Avhich M. Poincaire made to Mr Churchill in 1928, namely, that France AA’Ould newer seek to obtain priority 'or further advantages. Britain under the Dawes scheme Avould reccivc a surplus in the first decade amounting to £3,000,000. bult the nerv plan would deprive Britain of this main.lv for Italy’s benefit. Though Italy had already obtained considerable sums Avhen Britain settled Italy’s war debt on a scale of unprecedented liberality, it Avas uoav proposed that Italy’s share of German annuities should be increased at Britain’s expense. In conclusion Mr Snowden describes the proposals relating to deliveries in kind as vague and indefinite. Britain is not prepared to accept any arrangement imposing upon her fresh sacrifices. 'Similarly the proposals dealing Avith surpluses of unconditional annuities aTe inaeceptable and cannot eA r eu be regarded a* a serious effort to meet Great Britain’s requirements. The British GoA T ernment must press for a just and equitable settlement.

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS.

TO REPORT ON OFFER

BRITAIN’S POSITION EXPLAINED.

(Australian Press Association —United Service.) LONDON, Aug. 18.

M. Jasper visited Mr Snowden Last evening and asked kim to agree to the appointmenit of experts to estimate tlie value of the various allocations suggested in yesterday’s memorandum. Mr Snowden assented. A committee of Treasury exports of Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, and Japan is accordingly being formed immediately and is expected to report by August 20. British 'circles’ comment on the reproach directed at Britain that she is sacrificing world peace for a few paltry millions is that it is not a question of money alone. Britain’s position is that after all the sacrifices she has already made the time has come to call a halt. If Britain made these_ concessions, it is said, they would simply be used to manipulate further concessions if the occasion arose.

Britain is not. placing obstacles in the way of Europe’s pacification; it would ;be truer to say the people iwho allege this are not prepared to do anything for pacification unless Britain pays them. Therefore the Sunday newspapers strongly and unanimously support Mt Snowden. The French Press, however, continues to ibe bitter.

ITS PURPORT EXPLAINED. MADE AT EXPENSE OF SMALLER POWERS. BRITAIN WOULD - RECEIVE ONLY 20 PER CENT OF DEMANDS. (Australian Ptpss Association —United Service.) Received 10.25 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Aug. 17. An authoritative commentary issued from the British delegation contends that the presentation of the four Powers’ written proposals justifies the strono- line Mr Snowden has _ taken throughout the week. It was his note to M. Jasper, which was called in, some quarters an ultimatum, which has) speeded l up proceedings by producing yesterday’s memorandum, but the British delegation cannot but regard the terms of such a memorandum as unsatisfactory. Its purport appears to bo that Britain was already deriving considerable advantages from the Young plan, but that the four Powers, out of the generosity of their own hearts are prepared to make further concessions. Instead of giving Britain eighty per cent, of her lull demands, she is to get only twenty, and this involves no sacrifices on the part oi the four Powers, but will have to be at the expense of the smaller .Powers and Britain Is not prepared to accept concessions at their expense.