DIVERGENT VIEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10811, 29 January 1921, Page 7

DIVERGENT VIEWS

ALLIES AND GERMANY FRENCH MINISTER’S STATEMENT COMPLICATES MATTERS. BRITAIN’S POLICY DEFINED. Bv Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright *l>*l-ral:a„ ami X.Z. ' -s.- i.nc.. (Received January 28, 8.5 p.m.) PARIS, January 28. The morning sitting of the Allied Conference was devoted to attempts to smooth out divergent points revealed in consequence of M. Doumer’s speech on Wednesday, which came as a surprise, particularly when he advocated the immediate fixing of tlhe indemnity at about 100,000,000 gold marks, which is about doable the amount proposed at tile Boulogne Conference. At a meeting this afternoon, AD Lloyd George defined Britain’s reparation policy. He said it was useless for the Allies to try to extract more than Germany could pay. Nevertheless, it was to the interest of Britain, Belgium and France’ alike to extract the utmost farthing. Though France suffered most in human loss and suffering, Britain carried the largest fi n ancoal burden, her war costs aggregating £10,000,000,000. The real difficulty arose in determining how to compel Germany to pay. She easily could pay in marks, but paper money was af little value outside Germany. The only way 6he could pay the indemnity was by exports, yet same af her best customers were unalble to buy. It wias also true that if Germany exported too much to the Allies it would ruin Allied industries. NevertMess* there was a real margin within which Germany could pay. Experts had studies the problem for months, and he was willing that their proposals should be criticised and approved, but a mere adjustment would only mean a set back He hoped the French Government would accept the Boulogne agreement as the basis of settlement. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George said that M. Don iter’s figures were morally justifiable, but he did not believe experts would find them practicable. The Allies must use all the authority under the Treaty to make Germany put herself in a position to pay. She was not doing ibis at present. Ifer financial affairs were chaotic. Her revenues did not approach her expenditure. Her citizens were not even taxed to the same amount as those of the A Hied countries. No doubt this was done to improve her bargaining position. Tim Awes must* see that Germany imposed on her people burdens at least as heavy as* the Allies. Tire German people must -make some economies. The Belgian and Italian delegates supported Air Lloyd George in that the Allies must not now depart from the Boulogne and Brussels agreements. After AD Lloyd George had spoken Al. Briand said that according to the Boulogne agreement France should receive 65,000,000,000 marks- France.’a external debts were 25.000,000,000. marks and the difference would not enable France to repair the devastated areas. He could not agree to make such a sacrifice. He asked the conference to fix the annuities now and later examine Germany’s total liabilities. Conference will reconsider the question of reparations to-day. “ UTTERMOST FARTHING” ALLIES UNANIMOUS ON THE PRINCIPLE. LONDON, January 27. The Parris correspondent, af Hie Central News Agency says the Allies are unanimous on the principle of making. Germany pay “the uttermost farthing,” but' opinion diverges as to the. method of ■payment. , France expected 16,500miHhon francs from Germany to assist in meetring the deficit. Cfahiuet dare, not increase taxation while Germany is escaping with £3 a head. Mr Iflcyd George and the Belgians art willing to take half cosh and half raw materials. The French miners are unwilling to impart oaal in view af the short time worked in, the French mines . • PARIS, January 27. An unofficial conversation took place to-day between (Mr Lloyd George and the French Ministers, ft is understood that if an agreement on reparations, is not. reached t>v the end of the week, a further conference of Premiere will be called after the experts have reached their conclusion's. LATA VIA AND ESTHOMIA ALLIED POLICY DISAPPROVED BY AMERlCA(Received January 28, 8.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January. 27. The .State Department has declared that the Allied Supreme Council’s action in recognising Lata via nda is‘against the United States policy: Officials believe that the Allies’ action may lead to the recognition of the Siberian Governments, with the. logs. Of that territory to Russia,