NOT WARRANTED

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11415, 11 January 1923, Page 6

NOT WARRANTED

FRANCE’S SEVERE ACTION.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received January 10, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 9.

Mr Boyden. the United States ob. server on the Reparations Commission, supported Sir John Bradbury in his opinion that though Germany has not met her obligations, yet the default in coal and wood is not of such gravity

as to warrant the heavy sanctions .now being taken. Mr Boyden urged that the reparations problem should be dealt with as a whole. CAUSES OF DEFAULT ALLIES’ DEMANDS EXCESSIVE. Reuter’s Telegram. BERLIN, January 9. A communique has been puoUohod denying the accusation of a voluntary default in respeot of coal, timber, and paving-stones deliveries.. The oommunique admits that the obligations were not completely fulfilled, but attributes this, partly to the fact that the demands from the very outset were excessive, and partly t<* uncontrollable circumstances, such as strikes and transport difficulties; and largely to the French authorities’ alleged unwarranted conduct. The communique maintains that only preliminary negotiations proceeded in regard to the deliveries of nitrates, and! denies tliat the Government in this respect violated the Peace Treaty, because the Reparations Commission made no definite demands.