REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1932, Page 5

REPARATIONS

FRANCE’S TERMS OUTLINED.

GERMAN DICTATION OPPOSED.

(United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

PARIS, January 22

M. Laval, winding np the dehate on [Reparations in the crowded Chamber, said that France -would not allow any treaties to be prescribed and would only accept a reduction in reparations in proportion to granted reductions in war debts. The Young Plan provision could not be modified. France had made many gestures of goodwill to facilitate European union, hut she could not agree to let Germany alone dictate a. solution.

The whole Chamber cheered this emphatic declaration.

“Morality cannot Go banned from international fiction,” continued M. Laval. “The same rules of honesty applying to the relations between men apply to international relations.” Tie and Mr MacDonald had not yet agreed about the future of the Reparations Conference, but it was only a. question of time.

Referring to disarmaments, 3d. Laval said that France, while conforming to the League Covenant, would not accept improvisations compromising her security. She had -set an example by ten years’ reduction In man power and armaments, but would fto no further. She would submit positive proposals for political conditions of mutual assistance. Reduction of armaments then would be easy to work out. The Chamber carried a: vote of confidence iu M. Laval’s Ministry by 303 votes to 265. STANDSTILL AGREEMENT. PROLONGATION AGREED UPON. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) BERLIN. January 24. The Foreign Creditors Committee agreed with the German Committee, representing debtor interests, on the prolonging for a year from 29th February, of the existing standstill agreement. subject to modifications and the permission for earlier maturity if unfavourable developments compel'ed creditors to resume their freedom ol action.

Short term debts involved amount to £268,000,000. which, it is considered, Germany can carry when normality returns.