SECURITY OF FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18941, 12 February 1925, Page 9

SECURITY OF FRANCE.

NO PLANS DISCUSSED. DEBT DUE TO BRITAIN. QUESTIONS NOT CONNECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) Reuter. LONDON. Feb. 10. It is officially denied that there has been any discussion in Paris, as was reported between representatives of Britain, France, and Germany with a view to the revival of the military arrangement of 1912. Under the latter Britain preserved unfettered freedom of action. It is also denied that tho report of the Inter-Allied Committee of Control has been delayed in order to give Britain, France and Germany time to agree to a scheme to ensure French security. It is emphasised that Britain does not intend connecting French security with the question of the settlement of the French debt to Britain. A message from Paris states that comments in the French newspapers emphasise tho necessity for time to probe the British debt proposals before France can enter into any commitments. The papers generally insist that French repayments should depend ori Germany's reparation payments. Lc Matin expresses the belief that the French Government will not deal with debts without relation to the question of Franco's security. If France must strive to assuro her defence and increase the military strength of her European allies, how can she pay annuities to Britain and the United Slates? L'Oeuvre insists on an account being taken of German payments. Era Nouvellc says the next conference between Britain and France must discuss the question of security. Le Figaro says it wonders whether Britain is seeking economic colonial advantages. Lc Petit Journal says the conditions regarding the abandoment of French counter-claims against Britain and the obligation to pay fixed annuities, even if Germany defaults, are not acceptable. L'Echo do Paris says the closest relation must exist between French and German payments.