REPARATION ISSUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 245, 31 January 1921, Page 5

REPARATION ISSUE.

ALLIES REACH AGREEMENT.

GERMANY TO PAY IN ANNUITIES.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright J PARIS, Jan. 29. The situation at tho Allied Conferonci was critical during this afternoon, Mr Lloyt George threatening to leave immediately fot London. Lord D’Abcrnon intervened anc -mired certain amendments to the Frond (dans for Germany’s reparation, which mi oroved tho situation. The now formula is t nrios of annuities varying from £100,000,00 to £300,080,000 for 42 years, tho amount being regulated by Gorman trade. Britain f share will bo 22 per cent, and Germany will also pay per cent, on all exports, but (hero will lie no fixed sum wmcti Germany shall finally pay. Tho Supieme Council will meet to-morrow to conclude the agreement, which will then bo sent to Germany without discussion with the German delegates. The correspondents claim that the result is a triumph for Mr Lloyd George, as the proposal generally corresponds to the Boulogne Agreement. The Conference latei adopted tho reparations report, and decided to meet the German representatives at a conference in London on February .2otn. The reparation terms include 42 annnties. dating from May 1921. The first two will be of £100.000.000. tJirA . c 71 of three of £250,000.000. and 31 of £300.000,000. Britain’s share will bo £2,486,000,000. . The prom-vorbal was signed at live # m the evening. The Allies passed a resolution that they tiro convinced that a close union is as necessary to the preservation ol peace, as to win the war, and they are determined to allow nothing to impair it. Such a union is tho surest guarantee of the execution ol treaties, and fidelity to international engagements agreed to in connection therewith was also stressed. “R EM ARK ABLE ACHIEVEMENT. M. Briand expressed, on behalf of France his great Appreciation of the success of the conference, in which he was pleased and proud to participate. He realised that great progress had been made, and ho Conference, in helping to carry out the laborious task of solving the problems before them, Had rendered a service beside, to France, to mankind at large. J hey had succeeded by making mutual concessions. He cordially thanked the members lor tho assistance given, without which the success would have been nothing hko so complete. Mr Lloyd George, responding:, said; Wo indeed have good reason to congratulate ourselves on tho remarkable achievement, largely duo to the admirable way in which M, Briand has presided. Although he assumed office only a fortnight ago he has shown the greatest knowledge, skill and ability in guiding the deliberations. It has been *my painful duty to criticise what he said on several occasions, but I did it tor his good, and because of my affection for him, and with the good results wo no\v see. 1 thank him most seincerly: also M, Downer, M. Louchour, and his other colleagues, who all contributed to the success of u conference which was so fruitful of future good for Europe—A. and N.Z. cable.

CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

ALLIED UNITY MAINTAINED.

PARIS, Jan. 29 The Conference has concluded. The penalties for Germany’s non-fulfilment ot the disarmament conditions will bo the Allied occupation of the Ruhr Basin and tho extension of the period of occupation of tho Rhine, tho seizure of Customs revenue and tho refusal to allow Germany to join tho League of Nations A further conference will bo hole, at Trieste shortly, to which the small nations of Central Europe will be invited, for the purpose of reaching an agreement on Austrian affairs. Le Temps says: "Germany needs peace. Wo hope she will recognise tho necessity of fulfilling her obligations voluntarily, and also have tho courage to grasp her responsibilities.” .' . Los Dobats says: “ Tho principal cause of rejoicing at tho results of the Conference is the maintenance of Allied unity, which no living statesman dare disturb. Lo Intransigeant hails to-day as a good day for France,” adding that it is a stop forward on the real road to peace. Liberto says: “Mr Lloyd George, with profound political wisdom, brought *about concrete decisions, while M. Briand acliicved a grand success.” A. and N.Z. cable.

LLOYD GEORGE STANDS FIRM.

Received January 31, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 29,

In connection with the conference it is freely rumoured that Mr Lloyd George told M. Briand that unless ho disavowed M. Doumor's proposals tho British delegates would pack up and go home. Mr Lloyd George repeatedly declared m the course ol Thursday’s proceedings that it was impossible to continue negotiations on the basis urged in M. Doiimcr’s speech, insisting that tho Boulogne Agreement, must form the foundation, for a settlement of the reparations question, and declining to admit (hat the new French Cabinet was not bound by a preceding Cabinet’s engagement.—United Service.