WAR INDEMNITIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1729, 3 February 1921, Page 5

WAR INDEMNITIES.

GERMANY PERTURBED. WILL NOT PAY ARBITRARY AMOUNT. ißy Electric Cable— Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] BERLIN, February 1. It is reported that Dr Simons (Minister for Foreign Affairs) has declared that, if the Reichstag agrees to the Allied terms, he will resign. The newspapers are confident that the Reichstag will overwhelmingly reject the proposals. AMSTERDAM, February 1. German correspondents to Dutch newspapers state that in consequence of the Allies taking a new basis for fixing the indemnities, Germany will require the exact execution of the text of the Versailles Treaty and will ask the Allies for an exact statement of their losses. Germany will not pay an arbitrary amount without knowing how it is calculated.

SATISFACTION IN FRANCE. (Received Wednesday, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 1. The "Daily Telegraph" Paris correspondent says there is a general feeling of satisfaction in France, due to the drastiq character of the penalties, which the Allies have decided to enforce in the case of German default. M. Briand may, therefore, be assured that his policy will be approved by Parliament. Marshal Foch and M.M.' Briand, Varthou and Loucheur on Saturday favoured the immediate communication of the Allied decisions to Berlin; but Mr Lloyd George did not share this view. Doubt is now expressed in France whether the London Conference on 28th will simply acquaint the German delegates of the Allied resolutions, without giving the London Conference power to amend the resolutions, after discussion with the Germans. Herr Bergmann has gone to Berlin, but he will return to Paris in ten days. UNCLE SAM MISSES BUS. NOT IN AT THE DEATH. (Received Wednesday, 10.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 1. President Wilson has received a cable from Mr Drummond, stating that President-Wilson's Armenia-Rus-sia Note will be submitted to the next meeting of the League Council, and that it already has been brought under the notice of the Premiers at their meeting at Paris. The text of the British mandate over Mesopotamia seems to confirm the view of the. Administrator, that it excludes Americans from participating in the oil development region. Officials also see a disposition on the part of tho Great Powers to keep the Governments, who are not members of the League, from deriving benefits from former German territories. Administration circles consider the fact that the United States has not ratified the Treaty most unfortunate, smce the Allies have not consulted America in the fixation of German reparations. If the Treaty had been ratified, the United States would have been able to veco any plan not meeting with America's approval. Administration Circles disapprove of the reparations sum as too large, although Congressional circles generally approve of the conditions , imposed. It is believed that the operation of the economic laws will force a revision of the settlement sooner or later. Officials feel that the United States cannot continue to comply with international isolation, unless she reverts to the status of a second-rate power.

SWALLOWING HARD. SOME DEMAND FOR RESIGNATION OF CHANCELLOR. NECESSITY FOR A SOLID FRONT RECOGNISED. , (Received Wednesday, 8.45 p.m.) BERLIN, February 2. Herr Simons has inaugurated a debate on the Paris decisions in a long explanatory speech to a crowded House, many Entente diplomats being present. His declarations of policy amounted to asserting that it would be impossible to accept the decisions as a basis of further negotiations, and that the Government was preparing counter-proposals. The debate was adjourned. The "Daily Chronicle's" Berlin correspondent states that the Peoples' Party, which includes representatives of the great industrial magnates, under Stinnes' leadership, demanded Simons' resignation, because his conciliatory policy had encouraged the Entente's demands, but the Centre Party sent an ultimatum that if Simons went, they would withdraw and wash their hands of all responsibility. Other groups cast the blame on the Centre Party, saying that if they had not recently put forward foolish counter claims, the Paris decisions would have been less severe. They Bhould have been contented with seeking a basis of negotiations. The Centre Party then withdrew its demand for Simons' resignation, but the Nationalists Parties as a whole demanded that Simons should clearly indicate that the Paris decisions were not acceptable. Thus the way would be paved for a united front, possibly excluding the Communists and Independent Socialists. This attitude was encouraged by alleged hints in Allied diplomatic quarters that the Allies did not propose to dictate the Paris scheme at the London Conference, but would be prepared to listen to counter proposals. The Government's policy is to ignore the Paris decisions, declaring they concern the Allies alone, but would be prepared to accept the London invitation if they were allowed to m2et the Allies on an equal footing. The "Morning Post's" Berlin correspondent states that the Peoples' Party have taken the initiative to extend the Ministry's basis, by the inclusion of as many elements as possible, in order to present a solid national front. It is undoubted that nil, except the extreme Left, are already united, though many industrialists oppose the trueulence of Stinnes and other super-industrialists, and desire finality for the sake of industry end Germany's future.