NEGOTIATIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 229, 12 September 1923, Page 5

NEGOTIATIONS

Franco-German Accord TRADE AND REPARATIONS. FRENCH MIND UNDERGOING PREPARATION. [By Cable.—Preus Association.- Copyright.] (Received 12, 10.5 a.m.) London, Sept. 11. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says tljp public mind is plamix' being prepared for FrancoGerman economic accords. As it is realised that no reparations money can be obtained from Germany for several years, the question of including such accords in the reparation settlement must lie considered by economic experts. Pointing out that M. Poincare must not consider reparations or economic agreements as distinct, some argue that such agreements alone might be sufficient to redeem the expenditure on the reconstruction of the devastated areas. Some authorities are even discussing agreements entailing exchanges of labour.—(A. and N.Z.) GERMAN AND FRENCH MAGNATES. CONFERENCE AT COLOGNE. STR ESEM ANN HASTEN IN G NEGOTIATIONS. London, Sept. 10. The “Westminster Gazette’s” Paris correspondent says private advices state that Herr von Stinnes, heading a party of magnates, spent Monday at Coblenz negotiating with French industrialists. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin cor respondent says: “Strescmann will reply to M. Poincare on Wednesday in a speech of the utmost importance, specially designed to carry matters a good step further. I am reliably informed that the speech will be followed immediately bv an important noto to the Allies. Tnere is every sign that Stresemann is determined to achieve something noteworthy this week.” The Central News Agency at Berlin says the Cabinet has decided to send representatives to Paris to ascertain the extent to which the French Government is prepared to make concessions to the German population in the occupied territory if they discontinue passive resistance. Direct negotiations between France and Germany are believed to he imminent.—(A. and N.Z.) GERMANY’S RUHR POLICY. AN UNDERSTANDING ESSENTIAL. GERMANY READY. (Received 12. 12.30 p.m.) Berlin, September 11. The German Government’s policy in, the Ruhr was explained to a deputation from the International Women’s league of Peace and Liberty by the Minister of the Interior, Soli maun. Sollmann stated that the pivot of the present situation was Franco-Ger-man understanding with cognisance of the other Entente States. A FrancoGerman understanding must be reached very shortly, otherwise the whole of Central Europe would l>e endangered. ••We are ready to enter any agreement .with the Entente,” he said, “especially France, that will ensure the Ruhr and Rhineland being shortly again under full German control. This is only attainable by great exertions of German economic life. We are ready to make these exertions, but we refuse to agree to conditions which would mean the dismemberment of the Reich. Germany’s desire for an understanding is greatly hampered by French speeches demanding unconditional capitulation in the Ruhr. It is the task of the friends of peace to influence French policy to enter the path of understanding in the few’ weeks still remaining.”—(A. and N.Z.) UNPLEASANT INCIDENT AT COLOGNE. PRISONERS RESCUED BY BELGIANS. BRITISH AUTHORITY FLOUTED. (Received 12, 9.40 a.m.) London, September 11. “The Times’s’’ Cologne correspondent reports the rescue of three German Syndicalists by Belgian cavalry from th© custody of British military police on the outskirts of Cologne. The British authorities ordered German police to arrest three dangerous trouble-makers, with a view to their deportation. A mob of several thousands congregated in front of the prison, demanding their release. The police urgently telephoned for reinforcements, but, before their arrival a Belgian officer with a cavalry escort, crossed th© frontier and ordered the men’s release, placed them in a car. and drove them into the Belgian zone. The Belgians state that one of the arrested men is a Belgian employee.— (“Times.”) GOLD AND NOTE BANK. SOLUTION OF CURRENCY PROBLEM. Berlin, Sept. 10. The Imperial Cabinet has decided to endeavour to solve the currency problem by the establishment of a gold note bank, which will legally be independent of Imperial finances but closely connected wuth the Reichsbank. It is hoped the institution will commence operations at the earliest.— (Reuter.)