GERMANY MUST PAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17691, 28 January 1921, Page 5

GERMANY MUST PAY.

FRENCH DETERMINATION TAUNT TO BRITISH PREMIER. "LAST FARTHING" SPEECH. By Telegraph—Freaa Association—Copyright. (Received 11.15 p.m.) A - and NZ - PARIS, Jan. 26. The inter-Allie d Conference discussed today the question of German reparation A statement was made bv the French Finance Minister, M. Doumer, but discussion was post { >oned pending further details. It ,- wnaerstood that the Minister emphasised the French view that the last cent must he , s xtracted from Germany. He suggested that steps should be taken to give the mark a positive value. Germany, he urged, should be compelled to increase her postal, telegraph, and railway rates, and thus make good the deficit. The German taxpayer Bhould pay the same amount as the French taxpayer, and regular taxes should be imposed for the indemnity. The Allies ought to control the German Budget. M. Doumer ridiculed the proposals submitted by Herr Bergmann, the head of the German delegation.

Whereas the Allied experts suggest that Germany should pay £150,000,000 in gold annually, Herr Bergmann, in an interview, proposed 'bat Germany's payment should be £100,000,000 a year, of which a-quarter should be in gold and the rest in raw material and merchandise. Herr Bergmann added that Germany hoped u> retain Upper Silesia

Paris newspapers apropos of reparations, recall the following passage from a speech made by Mr. Lloyd George at Bristol in the election campaign of 1918:—"Those who started the war must pay to the utmost farthing, and we snail search their pockets for it." The Eclair says that it is reported that Mr. Lloyd George considers it would be folly to attempt to exact the full amount. The newspaper respectfully reminds the British l J nme Minister of his election speech. Arising possibly out of these comments, a portion of the crowd which witnessed Mr Lloyd George's departure from the Hotel Crillon for the conference, raised the cries : "Search their pockets," and '-The last farthing." It is estimated that Germany has already paid the Allies over 9,000,000,000 gold marks, but Allied advances to Germany, the cost of the armies of occupation, and the value of German property namely, 2,500,000,000 gold marks, in the districts liberated from Germany must oe eet against this. Furthermore, the paradoxical situation exists of the Allies having advanced 648,000,000 gold marks to Germany.

AMERICA WATCHING. CLOSE TOUCH WITH PARIS. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. CEecd. 11.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 26. The State Department announces that it is receiving regular reports from the British and French Governments regarding the discussions at the inter-Allied Conference. When the reports are complete, the United States will communicate its attitude to the Allies. Officials explain that the United States is vitally interested in Germany's fulfillment of the armistice terms. The Administration believes that Germany is disarming as rapidly as' conditions permit, for which reason it opposes counsels of hard pressure.