PROBLEMS AT THE HAGUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 423, 14 June 1922, Page 6

PROBLEMS AT THE HAGUE.

BRITISH REPLY TO FRANCE.

. Received June. 13, 8 a.m. I BOX DON. dune 11. The British reply to M. Poincare's Hague memorandum says that the French arguments appear to rest upon some confusion of thought. Tlit> British standpoint is set out under three heads as follows:— 4 (1) The conference will be one of experts. r l he British delegates will not have plenipotentiary powers at the preliminary conference. Thi' Government does not see any reason for ihe discussion of principles and would strongly oppose any such concession; and, therefore, die Government does not see any reason for the extension of the date. 'lhe Government is resolutely opposed to the French suggestion that the Russian memorandum of May 11 should be withdrawn before the commissions meet. If this had been intended, it should, ill fairness to all parties, have been laised ai Genoa. (2) The Cannes resolutions must govern The Hague discussions. The British Government cannot accept the French contention that foreign claimants have a right to demand the return of private property. Every State has the right to acquire private property cou.pulsorily. Whether the Russian Government te-iores it or pass compensation is a matter for ii only. They agree, however, that the compensation must be real. The same objection applies to the French contention that a lion Russian commission should iirsl agree upon a plan for restoring Russia, ll would bo more courteous not to have invited Russians at all. (5) Dealing with the subjects io be discussed, the reply stales: Bond-holders are to bo represented at The Hague io arrange machinery regarding ihe pre-war debts, while in regard to war debts, provided Russia acknowledges her liability, Britain will Maud by the Genoa undertaking to write oft some considerable part of the debt to Britain. The Government sees no need for maxima in advance. If Russia can secure credits, it will bo only from private lenders who consider the security adequate. Finally, the Government strongly desires a settlement, ai Tho Hague, as the present conditions will only lead to struggles between concession-hunters. —A. and N.Z. cable.

FRENCH NEWSPAPERS' COMMENT. Received June 13. 10.40 a.m. PARIS, June 12. The newspapers comment on the moderate tone of the British reply. The Journal says: "We must not be blind to the fact that the reply counters tiie French thesis as regards Russia." The F.clair asserts that tho Note proves how difficult it i- to maintain any sort of agreement with Mr Lloyd George's Government.—A. and. N.Z. cable.