FRANCE’S DEBTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11685, 24 November 1923, Page 5

FRANCE’S DEBTS

WHEN WILL SHE PAY ? GERMAN REPARATIONS SHOULD BE PAID FIRST. REPUDIATION NOT INTENDED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Published in ’‘The Time*-" laONDON, November 22. According to the Paris correspondent of “Tlvd Time©, 5 ’ the reports from "Washington that the American Debt Funding Commission may ask France and other countries to arrange to fund their debts to the United States are arousing considerable interest. The French do not intend to repudiate the debt, but it is argued that th* money owing to America was borrowed to meet the expenses of a war carried on in the common cause, and that a distinction should be made between such a debt and the reparation debt owed -by Germany. France should not be asked to pay the debt to America before the G-eiman payment of reparations is assured. GOAL DELIVERIES ON REPARATIONS ACCOUNT. FRENCH CONCESSION. Vnbltsbed In “Th® Tims®.** LONDON, November 22. The Cologne correspondent of _ “The Times” learns that when negotiations between the Flench and the Ruhr mine-owners are resumed to-morrow, the French will announce an important concession in regard to what is credited to reparations account, from which the Germans hope that a definite agreement will he signed in a day or two. He is also informed that the Rhineland Commission has concluded an important agreement with a German group of manufacturers for the delivery of aniline dyes, medical products, and chemical manures. The British Government, although represented in the negotiations, dees not participate in the agreement. _ It is not clear whether these deliveries aro to be credited to reparations account. The immediate effect of this agreement and the coal agreement, if signed, hrill he to relieve considerably unemployment in the Rhineland and Ruhr. DR ZEICNER CHARGE OF BRIBERY. Renter's Teleeram. BERLIN, November 22. The ex-Saxon- Premier, Dr. Zeigner, has been afrested at Dresden on a charge of accepting bribes while Minister for Justice.