ALLIES AND GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10848, 14 March 1921, Page 5

ALLIES AND GERMANY

VON SIMONS ATTACKED FOREIGN POLICY WITHOUT DOMINATING IDEA. AN ANGRY RETORT. Bv Telegraph—Press Asan. —Copyright Australian and N.Z Cable Association, (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. The “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent states that sharp conflicts oceuirrfed in the Reichstag between von Simons and von Stinnes,_ the latter complaining that the foreign policy of the Government was without a dominating idea., as shown by the fact that a delegate was sent to London to conduct important negotiations without clearly outlined proposals. The whole conduct of the negotiations in London proved the absence of a controlling idea. ~ Von Simons, in an angry reply, said tbat while he gladly accepted advice from von Stinnes, he was not that gentleman’s junior clerk. LACK OF A LEADER GERMAN DELEGATES BLIND AND CLUMSY. PARIS, March 11. Tlie “Petit Pasrisien” publishes an interview noth Mr Lloyd George, m which the Prime Minister said that. German delegates made a rupture of thp~ Conference inevitable. Their, clumsiness was only equalled .by their blindness. There was nothing left tor us but to act. Germany’s present state of confusion was complicated by the fact that she had not vet succeeded in finding the man. Neither during the war nor since the Armistice has Germany had a leader like Gaimbetta, or even Thiers, capable of inspiring and guiding. She only had technical ex- , peTts, ironmasters like Stinnes, hut her lack .of statesmen was regrettable. It was much better for us to deal, with a country directed by a vigorous intelligence. WITHOUT INCIDENT ALLIES OCCUPY OBERHAUSEN. (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 12. The Allies occupied Oberhausen without incident. RESULTS OF PENALTIES AN ENVOY’S INTERESTING ESTIMATE. (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 12. A special envoy’s dispatch from Coblenz, estimating the practical results of the penalties, states: —(1) The occupations are tho best conceived and most profitable; the coal carried through Duisburg and Ruhrort is alone' estimated at 25,000,000 tons. (2) Taking over the product of German Customs on the outer frontier of the Rhineland, bordering Franc© and Belgium, does not promise any considerable yield. The British High Commissioner in Cologne points out that the Customs receipts at Cologne were £BOO,OOO during 1920, but .does not guarantee the accuracy of the figures. (3) establishment of ,a Customs cordon between occupied 1 and free Germany is not likely to yield more than £7,500,000 sterling yearly. CUSTOMS DUTIEB American troops to abide by decisions.. (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 11. . Mr J. W. Weeks (Secretory for War) announces that the commander of the American forces in Germany will abide by the Allies’ Rhipeland Commission’a decisions in the collection of Custom* duties along the Rhine. RECOVERY OF REPARATIONS BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, March 11. The German Reparation Recovery Bill was read a first time in the House of Commons. The second reading will be taken on Monday. Mr Austen Chamberlain suggested that the bill should be taken in committee of the whole House if it agrees te paeß it through all stages rapidly. (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 12.

The German Reparation Recovery Bill provides for the payment of ,50 per cent, of the value of reported German goods to the Commissioner of Cus-

toms, who will place all euoh money to a special account, te be applied under the Treasury’s direction towards the discharge of 'Germany’s obligations under parts 8 and 9 of the Versailles Treaty. The goods to which the bill applies are those wholly or partly manufactured or produced in Germany and consigned to the United Kingdom, ; provided they are not intended for reexportation. The value of the goods shall be the amount the importer would give -at the price of importation, he paying freight and insurance. ALLIED MEASURES DUTCH' PROTEST URGED. (Received March 12, 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, March 11. It is understood that Dutch commercial circles are urging the Government to protest to the League of Nations against the Allies’ coercive _ economio measures in Germany, as being detrimental to commerce between Germany and neutral nations. A SPLIT IN PRUSBIA RESIGNATION OF CABINET. BERLIN, March 11. The Prussian Government has resigned, and the event is likely to affect the liryporial Government seriously. Herr Stmnes’a followers and the People’s Party will undoubtedly withdraw their support if they are denied representation in the new Prussian Cabinet, and the Socialists are raising objection to their representation.