ALLIED GOLD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 5 January 1923, Page 8

ALLIED GOLD.

DESPATCH TO AMERICA. Statement by. bonar law. OBJECTIONS EAISED BY PRANCE. (Received Jan. 5, 10.10 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 4. The Matin says that Mr Bonar Law's declaration regarding the despatch of Allied gold deposits to America has caused a most unpleasant sensation in political and financial circles. The gold was not the property of the T"rench Government, but of the banks «f France, and should not be regarded as a pledge or securit5 r. Le Petit Journal comments that yesterday's explanations resulted in the beginnings in rapprochement. A change of atmosphere was noticeable. M. Millet, writing in the Petit Parisiene, says: "It is still possible that Mr Bonar Law's detailed Teply will put a fresh aspect on the debate. Nevertheless no agreement can be concluded, and the result will be that France and Belgium will be unable to avoid joint military occupation of Germany's territory." M. Sauerwein, writing in the Matin, says: "Mr Bonar Law seems to regard the rupture between England and France unmoved. Hitherto he has made no effort to dissipate legitimate French apprehensions on essential points. Mr Bonar Law has privately expressed his \ opinion that the rupture was inevitable. He knows France will be morally forced, under penalty of losing for ever all hope of repairing her ruined lands, to enforce productive guarantees in German territory. Mr Bonar Law, ■while protesting against the occupation of the Ruhr, in order to conciliate the .Labour party, wishes to maintain the Entente on the question of the Near East." M. Sauerwein protests against the inconsistency. He points out that loyal assistance is being given by M. Barrere to Lord Curzon on Turkish matters, and assistance was being accorded to Herr Cuno by Lord d'Abernon. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.