HOPE OF SETTLEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11740, 30 January 1924, Page 5

HOPE OF SETTLEMENT

BELGIUM AS MEDIATOR Published in "Tb» Times.' - LONDON, January 28 The Paris correspondent of “1 he Times” says: “The sudden unannounced visit of 81. Jaspar, the Belgian Foreign Minister, and his long interview with M. Poincare, have fluttered tho French political dove-cots, causing much speculation in spite of the official declaration that over-much importance should not he attached to the interview, which it is asserted related chiefly to the Ruhr.” The correspondent declares that it is believed that M. Jaspar also urged the need of a complete stocktaking of the general diplomatic situation in view of the advent of a new Government in Britain. The Belgian Government has always been most anxious to restore good relations between France and Britain, and has even tried to act os intermediary .between the two Power*. More importance is attached to the interview because of the interview between the Belgian Ambassador in London and Blr Macdonald iust before 81. Jaapar’s sudden decision to see M. Poincare. It appears that there is some bone that a general settlement would bo facilitated by new proposals concern ing inter-Aljied debts, in exchange for which France might lie willing to alter her Ruhr policy. Official circles an: strangely silent, but elsewhere there is a tendency to admit that we ate on the eve of important developments.