REPARATIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 303, 11 December 1922, Page 5

REPARATIONS

The London Conference M. POINCARE’S PLAN. FRANCE PREPARED FOR CONCESSIONS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.] (Received 11, 9.20 a.m.) London, Dec. 10. Newspapers arc speculating regarding M. Poincare’s plan submitted to the Conference. They suggest that France is willing to reduce reparations two thousand millions, provided France’s percentage is increased and Britain consents to cancellation of inter-Allied war debts. France is also willing to grant a moratorium for two or three years, pro vided the Reparations Commission is given the right and means for seizing Germany’s Customs revenue and contiollong the Ruhr coal industry if Germany, during the moratorium, fails to carry out financial reforms, including the balancing of her Budget by taxation and deflating of currency.—(A. and N.Z.) AGREEMENT ON MORATORIUM. M. POINCARE OPTIMISTIC. London, Dec. 9. The Prime Ministers at the Downing Street conference agreed that Germany must be given a moratorium. A discussion followed regarding the duration and conditions of the moratorium. M. Poincare outlined the French proposals, to w'hich Signor Mussolini gave some support*. • The conference adjourned till Monday. A large number of journalists awaited M. Poincare’s return to his hotel. He declined to disclose the conference’s proceedings, but admitted that he was optimistic regarding the results. VISITING PREMIERS WELCOMED. BLACK SHIRTS IN LONDON. London, Dec. 9. Mr Bonar Law’ welcomed M. Poincare at Victoria Station. Signor Mussolini arrived late to-night. There were amazing scenes a few minutes before 11 o 'clock, when hundreds of black-shirted Fasci t sti, with the Italian flag, invaded the platform. When Signor Mussolini alighted, dressed in a silk hat and immaculate morning dress, he saluted the Fascist! flag, the Fascist! replying by giving the Roman warriors’ salute. Signor Mussolini had a long talk with the Leader of the London Fascisti, and then went to his motor-car, escorted by a cordon of black shirts. The scenes were repeated at Claridge’s Hotel, the Fascisti finally marching away in military fashion, singing Italian national songs.

AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. (Received 11, 9.35 a.m.) Washington, Dec. 10. It is exepctcd that some announcement will be made at the London Premiers ’ Conference concerning American attitude, especially since Ambassadors Fletcher and Haughton have joined Colonel Harvey. Information elicited from the White House states that the United States has Jio suggestion to make tp the Premiers concerning the debt, since the American attitude was that Allied debts to the United States must be paid. It is already known that the presence of Messrs Fletcher and Haughton is merely a coincidence, both having gone to London on private business( —A. and N.Z.) THE BAVARIAN INCIDENT. FINES TO BE PAID. Berlin, Doc. 8. The Cabinet has decided to pay the fines imposed by the Allies in consequence of the attacks on Allied officers ht Passau and Ingoldstadt.(—A. and N.Z.)