PEACE AMONG NATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10812, 31 January 1921, Page 5

PEACE AMONG NATIONS

MOMENTOUS DECISIONS ALLIES AGREE AND NOTABLE OONEERENCE EiNDS. GERMANY’S HUGE BILL. By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright Australian and N.Z. C , ab!« Association PARIS, January 28. Tlie military experts ha\e furnished their reports to the Supreme Council. It is understood that they recommend that Germany shall be given until July to disband and disarm the civil troops, and shall immediately surrender a laige quantity’of war material, undei serious penalties. Some "or the newspapers d.o not think that the French and Britih views regarding the indemnity, are so irrecon* cilable as they appear. The “Petit Journal’* says: “If out Aliie-s give up the idea of extracting all they might obtain, and adopt a scheme diminishing France’s share, it> will be. legitimate for France to obtain frpm the Allies a precise assurance that they will immediately help France to restore her financial equilibrium, now disturbed by the uncertainty as to Germany’s payments.” It is understood that the Allies* Conference is considering a scheme requiring Germany to> pay the annuities fixed at the Boulogne Conference, plus an annual tax of about 12 per cent, on German exports. The impression is that finality is likely to be reached. SUBSTANTIAL REPARATIONS MR LLOYD GEOR&E REVIEWS THE OUTLOOK. PARIS, January 28. Mr Lloyd George, addressing a gathering of journalists, said he was hopeful of getting substantial reparations before the conference concluded. Definite proposals about Germany’s ability to pay would-be formulated. England was no less interested than France, because the people of England were the most heavily taxed in the world. The trouble was that everybody wanted gold, which Germany had not got, and they would not take German goods. He believed there would be no difficulty about disarmament. It was no use advancing millions to Austria. The fact was that she was now a small State, unable to bear the cost of such a capital as Vienna. England h-vl already advanced millions to Austria, an-d England and France, under their heavy burdens of taxation, could not supply ■ further millions. CRITICAL MOMENTS HOW THE AGREEMENT WAS ARRIVED AT. (Received January 30, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, January 29. The situation at the conference was pribioal during the afternoon, Mr Lloyd George threatening to leajve immediately far London. Lord D’Abernon intervened and secured certain amendments to the French plans, which improved the situation. 1 The new formula is a series of annuities varying from £IOO,000,000 to £300,000,000 for forty-two years, the aimouint being regulated by German trade. Britain's share will ho twenty-two per cent. Germany will also pay 12J per cent, on all her exports, but there will bo no fixed sum which Germany -shall finally pay. The Supreme Council meets to-morrow to ooncflucle a.n agreement, which will then be sent to Germany without discussion wiith'thie German delegates. Correspondents claim that the result is a triumph for Mr Lloyd George, as the proposal generally corresponds to the Boulogne agreement. Conference later adopted the reparations report (oh cabled), and decided to meet the German, representatives at a conference in London on February 28th The reparations terms include fortytwo annuities dating May, 1921. The first two will be of £100,000,000 each, the next three £150,000,000, then three of £200,000,000, three of £350,000,000, and thirty-one of. £300,000,000. Britain’s total share will be £2,486,000,000.

GOMFERENGE CONCLUDES

CLOSER, ALLIED UNION URGED. A SERVICE TO MANKIND. (Received January 30, 11 p.m.) PARIS, January 29. The Preces verbal Was signed at 5 o’clock this evening. The Allies passed a resolution that they are convinced that close union is as necessary to the preservation of peace as to win a war, and they are determined to allow nothing to impair it. Such a union is the surest guarantee of the execution of treaties. Fidelity to international agreements agreed to (in conneetdlcm therewith was also stressed. M. Briand expressed, on behalf of France, bis great appreciation of the suiceessi of the conference, in which he was pleased and; proud to participate. He realised! that great' progress had been made, and the conference, in helping to carry out the labotous task of solving the problems before them, had rendered a service beside to France to mankind at large. They had succeeded/by mating mutual "concessions. He cordially thanked' member® for the assistance given, without which the (success would have been nothing like so complete.. Sir LlOyd George, responding, said: “We indeed have good reason to congratulate ourselves. The remarkable achievement is largely due to the admirable way M. Briand presided. Although he assumed office only a fortnight ago he has shown the greatest knowledge, skill and ability in guiding the deliberations 1 . It has been my painful duty to criticise what he said on several "occasions, but I did it for his good, and because of my affection for him , and with the good results we now see. I thank him most sincerely, also M. Donmer, M. Loucheur, and our other colleagues, who all contributed to the success of the conference, Which is so fruitful qf future good for Europe.”

PENALTY PROVISIONS

GERMANY AND HER OBLIGATIONS. (Received January 30, 5.5 p.m.) PALMS, January 29. The Premiers’ Conference has concluded. Penalties for Germany’s nonfulfilment of the disarmament conditions will be the Allied occupation of the Ruhr and an extension of the period of occupation of the Rhine, and refusal bo tallow Germany to join the League of Nations. A further conference will be held at Trieste shortly to which the small nations of Centra] Europe will be invited, for the purpose of reaching an agreement on Austrian affairs. Penalties for the non-nrlfalmont. of

diaarmaiment conditions also include the seizure of custom revenue.

PRESS REJOICES

INTERESTING FRENCH COMMENT (Received January 30, 5.5 p.m.) BARIS, Jamuary 29. The newspaper “Tearups” says: “Germany needs peace. We hope she will recognise the necessity of fulfilling her obligations voluntarily, and also have the courage to grasp her respotneibilibics.” The “Debate” says: “The principal cause of rejoicing at the results of the conference is" the maintainanoe of Allied unity, which no living statesman dare disturb.” The “Intransageant” bails to-day as a good day for France, adding that it la a step forward on the real road to peace. The “Liberte” says: “Mr Lloyd George, with profound political wisdom, brought about concrete decisions, while M. Briand achieved a grand success.”