FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1923. GERMANY AND REPARATIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 June 1923, Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1923. GERMANY AND REPARATIONS.

Whether the new offer made by Germany on the reparations problem will be acceptable to the Allies remains to

be seen, but from what one can gather from the cable messages to hand so far, the Germans are making far better proposals than on any previous occasion, and they appear to have realised that they must "toe the line." France has over and over again expressed her determination to collect reparations.

however expensive and difficult the process. Britain is not a supporter oi" the French policy of occupation in the Ruhr, seeing in it a grave danger that it may sow seeds of future conflict, but Britain is in full sympathy with France's determination to make Germany pay. Germany knows that she cannot escape, and probably the new offer represents a sincere effort on her part to meet the Allies, as far as she is able. The question is so complex that even experts may disagree as to whether th<s suggested payment of £70,000,000 annually represents the best that Germany can do. It is, however, a- large sum to find, especially when the serious economic condition of Germany is taken into account. it. is interesting to remember in thinking of Germany's latest offer that the agreement between Britain and America is for annual payment-of £30,000,000, so that Germany's offer is not by any means a small one. The guarantees offered appear to be fairly comprehensive and must, if accepted, put a restraint upon Germany's trade activities that her industrial magnates will not welcome. The Note also contains the important proposal to submit the offer to an international commission of experts, and "the German Government pledges itself further to accept the tribunal's decision." The Daily Chronicle states that Germany's reply has been mainly inspired by the suggestions contained in the British and Italian Notes. If that is so, there is reason to think that Germany's new proposals will form th© basis of negotiations by the Powers, which Britain desired when she refused the previous Note, but did not slam the door as France appeared to do. The reparations problem is keeping Europe back, and it is also militating against the restoration of the- economic conditions of the Allied Powers. France is suffering from the devastation of the war, but Britain, as Lord Derby once reminded the French, has her devastation in the shape of n huge army of unemployed. Trade cannot be restored" until some definite agreement is come to on reparations and international relationship is placed upon a firm basis. The messages in the next few days should bring important news of the attitude of the various nations towards the new offer, and it is to be hoped that some final agreement will be reached and tliat the way will become clear for all the nations in Europe to make a beginning with the enormous task of reconstructing their countries. They are in serious straits and, in many .eases, conditions are so bad that they cannot become worse without law and order being swallowed up completely in the morass of anarchy and chaos. The position is most serious, and unless some improvement is reached soon we may well fear that civilisation will be in danger. To defeat Pruasinmsm because it was an enemy of civilisation was the duty of the Allies, and it is just and right that Germany should be made to pay satisfactory reparations, but it would be terrible if in the process of forcing Germany to pay reparations the Allies drove Europe into chaos and anarchy and put civilisation, which they fought to save, back to the. Middle Ages. Let us hope that Germany has at last faced the situation and made.an offer whiph is acceptable £o the Allies, or which* is sufficiently satisfactory to enable the Powers to negotiate successfully.