FORCING GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10847, 12 March 1921, Page 7

FORCING GERMANY

THE ALLIED POLICY CRITICISM IN THE' HOUSE OF COMMONS. Premier’s defence. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright imr-:, 1 ian end N.Z Cable Association. (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil opened the debate on foreign affairs. 'He blamed the Government for the absence of continuity in its policy in. recent years, which was largely due to the fact that Mr Lloyd George has taken foreign negotiations into bis own hands instead of relying on the representatives of the Foreign Office, who alone were able to give sound advice. The country was suffering from a polyarchy of administration. Sir Edward Carson said he did, not agree that the Prime Minister, in his foreign policy, should be guided entirely by tjhe Foreign Office. He admired the Premier because he was not hidebound. Mr J. R. dynes believed that Mr Lloyd George honestly desired a settlement with Germany by agreement rather than by force. The Labour party considered that all means had net been explored to secure an agreement. The Labour party thought that the application of force to Germany would lead to greater unemployment and additional burdens of taxation in this country. The Labour party wanted to make Germany pay, out believed she could, only pay when normal trade was restored. The House was entitled to know how much the present foreign 'policy was British and how much French.

Mr Lloyd George said that the effect of Mr Clynes’s speech would be to stiffen Germ any Is resistance. The settlement was an Allied settlement. He thought it was perfectly fair. We would only get a. settlement with Germany if she* knew we should enforce it. Mr Lloyd George added: “We are now importing £55,000,000 worth of German goods yearly. Germany will not prefer losing the whole of that trade to paying her debts. If the Germans decline to reimburse their own nationals in regard to the levy, that is their affair. Germany has everything to lose and nothing to gain By resist’anee. If she stops all exports to the Allies there will be unemployment on such a scale as no industrial country has ever witnessed.” AMERICAN TROOP# COMPLETE HARMONY WITH ’ ALLIES. PARIS, March 9. The “Matin” had an interview with General Allen, Commander -of the American troops in occupation, who emphasised the complete Allied military unity in the Rhine area* This was the first time the Americans had not joined the other Allies, hut he hoped, nevertheless, that the Americans would be retained in Europe as long as they were useful. FIRST SERIOUS INCIDENT FRENCH SOLDIERS FIRED ON BY GERMANS. PARIS, March 9. German guards at Strelitz wounded several French soldiers who were engaged in seizing arms. Captured documents ".reveal that, the German frontier police "are conniving in assisting in the traffic in arms, and this led to the discovery of ammunition and firearms. PASSIVE RESISTANCE GENERAL ATTITUDE OF GERMANS. (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent says that the German Government attaches importance to the results of the last three by-election* in Great Britain, and wants to know whether there, is a prospect of a Labour Government in Britain. The hulk of the German nation is inclined to passive resistance to the Entente’s demands. Hamburg and Bremen merchants largely fafour a boycott of Allied traders. . Geneva telegrams say it is evident that the Allies will have trouble with neutrals concerning the 50 per cent, levy. A large number of German manufacturers has already arranged to transfer their operations to Switzerland in order to avoid the tax.

The “Tribune Geneve” says that Switzerland will defend with energy the principle of liberty of transport. (Received March 11, 9.35 p.m.) BERLIN, Miareh 11. A national boycott of the Allies’ goods is to be attempted. Hamburg and Bremen commercial men have decided to refuse dealings, including importations through British Channels Another plan is to refuse to sell to Allied buyers unless the goqjJs are fully paid for before' delivery. UPPER SILESIAN PLEBISCITE •GERMANS CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. Australian and N.Z. Cable AasociaHoa(Reccived March 11, 5.5 p.m.) * LONDON, March 10. The “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent says that the migration of outvoters to Upper Silesia has commenced. Within ten days 300,000 will be distributed through Silesian towns and villages. They have been drummed up frqm every part of Germany by tireless propaganda of the League of the Home of True Upper Silesians. The league has collected funds to pay travelling expenses and to ensure comfortable meals, etc. During the journey the trains were met at stopping places by demonstrators. The Germans are confident! of victory at the polls now that the Allies have promised to allow a plebiscite of all voters whether' resident in the area or not. AUSTRIAN WAR MATERIAL ALLIES HASTEN SURRENDER. (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) VIENNA, March 10. Owing to the slow surrender of wax material tho Inter-Allied; Commission sent a peremptory Note summoning the Government to declare its readiness to surrender the articles within twentyfour hours. Cabinet immediately complied, with the exception of reservations regarding aircraft and bridgebuilding material*