CHANGE IN PARIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 9

CHANGE IN PARIS.

filfOEE; FEIENDLY TONE. POINCARE GOES TOO FAR.

FRESS MINIMISES SPEECH.

(AWAITING BRITISH NOTE. PROSPECT OF DISCUSSION Br Telecrach—Press Association Copyright. (Received 7.45 p.m.) A. Mid N.Z. LONDON, July 17. On the eve of the. despatch ok' the British Note regarding reparations the situation between France and Britain is distinctly easier. The diplomatic correspondents oi the Daily Chronicle and Daily Telegraph insist that there is a marked change in the French attitude toward Britain.

The Daily Chronicle describes the change in the last 48 hours as extraordinary. There is now a distinct movement to minimise M. Poincare'e speech at Senlis, which was regarded as a definite rejection of any reply Britain could send to Germany. M. Poincare now realises that he went too far, and desires .to leave himself an opening so as not to be obliged to turn down Britain's projected reply without discussion. French opinion is coming to the conclusion that the French Government is demanding more than can bo conceded, and opinion favours a settlement if it will not damage French prestige.

Telegraphing to the Daily Chronicle from Paris, Mr. Martin Donohoe says that the baiting of the British Government by tho French press is a pastime which is losing attractiveness, Paris newspapers are now coming to the conclusion a hostile England would not be much cf an asset for France. Do not let us have another Fashoda," pleads L'Oeuvre, and even Le Journal, in a leading article, acquits the British Government of being actuated by bad faith toward France.

Le Temps, however, discusses a suggestion that Continental nations might try to solve existing problems without England's aid, and adds: "The enemies of France in England desire that Continental nations should remain divided. Tha,t is the reason why Continental nations ought to unite and settle their differences,, even the differences between France find Germany, which are largely concerned with the method of payment." Le Temps suggests that the Allies should take a.portion of the shares of Germany's industrial concerns, both State and private, and devote the interest to gradual payment of reparations. It points out that some German Socialists favour this method of settlement.

THE BRITISH NOTE.

DESPATCH TO-DAY LIKELY. A. and . N.Z. LONDON. July 17. The Marquis Curzon had a conference ' -with the French and Italian Ambassadors to-day.. The Daily Telegraph says that Lord Curzon expressed the Government's surprise at M. Poincave's speech. It is expected that the draft of the Note will be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday and despatched to the Allies on Thursday. ••.■:,;■'