OPTIMISM A MISTAKE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11662, 29 October 1923, Page 8

OPTIMISM A MISTAKE

LORD BIRKENHEAD’S VIEWS. “INCREDIBLY COMPLEX FIGURES.” Australian an d N.Z. Cable Association (Received October 28, 11.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 26. Lord Birkenhead, interviewed, expressed pleasure that Britain and the United States had taken the latest action in the reparations situation, and added: “None the less, my opinion is that it is a great mistake to found too much optimism thereon. France’s acceptance is doubly conditional, and the fact remains that the French intend to continue the reparations until Germany begins to make payments, but what will happen in Europe and Germany while expert inquiries are being made? The material which requires examination by experts is the incredibly complex figures involved. They are immense, and bristle with controversy. How long will it take? What will happen m the meantime, and is it not obvious that with every month Germany’s capacity to pay any reparations must decline, and the risk of Germany dragging the rest of Europe to ruin is constantly increased? The fundamental situation, in my judgment, is not profoundly affected by the happenings of the week-end.”