REPARATION PROBLEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 13

REPARATION PROBLEM.

NO AGREEMENT REACHED. GLOOMY VIEW IN PARIS. DR. SCHACHT STANDS FIRM. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received April 25. 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, April 21. " Humanly speaking, (he conference on German reparation is dead. Yet miracles happen, and only an act of God can now savu the conference." said one observer. The idea appears to bo that the experts are now at liberty, semi-officiallv, to re examine every point already raised, ft is faintly hoped that an agreement may be reached in the process, where hitherto there has been none. If Germany and the creditor Powers at the end of drafting their report find that the position is unaltered, thero will be no alternative but to inform the Governments that no result has been attainable. French opinion thinks the chances are now of the smallest. They are concerned not only with the difference in figures, but with Dr. Schacht's reluctance to effect an immediate mobilisation of that part of the debt over and above what the Allies require her to pay. American optimists suggest as a basis for agreement the payment of low annuities at first, rising steeply later, the idea being that if the Allies accept payments oulv slightly above the £32,500.000 offered by Dr. Schacht, the prospect of assistance from the proposed international bank might induco him to agree to higher figures later on. A stumbling block however remains. While Dr. Schacht is eager to continue the discussions thero is not the slightest indication of Ins willingness to shift his grounu. It is left to the chairman to summon the nest plenary session of the I conference.

RENEWED EEEOBT.

COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS.

PESSiMISM IN BRITAIN. Australian Press Association—United Service (Received April 25. 5.3 p.m.) LONDON. April 24. The committee of experts on reparation met, again yesterday. Subsequently it issued the following communique: The committee has received and ordered to Ijo filed last week's report from the sub-committee stating that no agreement was reached with regard to figures. At a plenary session the committee thereupon unanimously decided that the terms of tho appointment of the sub-committee should bo changed, its work to be to outLine tho chief points to be embodied in its report.

It is anticipated that while that work is proceeding the efforts of all the groups aiiko will be continued, in order to arrive at an agreement on the points upon which accord has not yet been reached. Tho diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says tho opinion in British circles has changed to pessimism, following the reports from the delegation. It is expected that any breakdown will be euphemistically described as " A mere postponement until the late summer or autumn."

ATTITUDE OF GERMANY. THREE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, WAYS TO ESCAPE IMPASSE. Australian rind N.Z. Press Association. (Received April 25. 6.25 p.m.) LONDON. April 24. The Paris correspondent of the Dmlv Telegraph has been furnished with a statement of the German point of view of the reparation impasse, which gives the opinion that there are three possible solutions. The first is that the Allies should reduce their demands. The second is that Germany must bo enabled to increase her capacity for payment. The third is that a provisional agreement bo made, pending better times. If none .of these is acceptable, Germany is prepared to continue payments under the Dawes Plan, but the transfer clauses must be put into operation without delay. Germany is unwilling to continue the payments from borrowed money.

SHARE. OF DOMINIONS. OPPOSITION BY POWERS. BRITISH DELEGATES WIN. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received April 26. 12.15 a.m.) LONDON. April 25. The Paris correspondent of the Financial Times says the discussion among the reparation experts in Paris has been most strained lately. Not only were there verbal battles with the Germans, but Sir Joshia Stamp and Mr. Charles Addis were obliged to stand up firmly against the French, Belgian and Italian delegates for the reparation claimed by the British Dominions. Representatives of the countries named sought strenuously to have the Dominions' claims parcelled out between them, but the British representatives.put up a strong defence, and won the day.