ENTENTE DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11875, 8 July 1924, Page 7

ENTENTE DISPUTE

WHAT BRITAIN PROPOSES LEAGUE OF NATIONS INSTEAD OF OLD COMMISSION. FRANCE DISAGREES. Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright Reuter's Telegram. ROME, July 6. The British Governmett’s letter, in viting Italy to attend the London Conference, says:— “The main aim is to forge an instru ment formally pledging the contracting parties to the execution of some of the suggestions of the Dawes report. This might be in the form of a protocol, a 3 it is intended to avoid any appearance of a desire on the part of the Allies to modify the Treaty of Versailles. IF GERMANY FAIL®. “The British Government favours fixing in the protocol the date by which Germany shall complete the legislative and other measures she is required to adopt, and a later date, perhaps a fortnight after, when all the economic and fiscal sanctions which are at present. enforced upon Germany, and which interfere with the economic ac tivities of Germany, shall be withdrawn. “It is proposed that the protocol shall include a stipulation establishing, in the event of flagrant failure on Germany’s part, an authority that will docide in regard to non-execution. QUESTION OF AUTHORITY. “The treaty engagements into which Germany is to enter, according to tlie Dawes report, will rank before those imposed on her by the Treaty of Versailles; and, therefore, the British Government is of opinion that tho task of deciding the question of flagrant non-execution cannov bo emulated to the Reparations Commission, the functions of which are strictly determined by the Treaty of Versailles. It is proposed that recourse should ho had to the Financial Committee of the League ol Nations,” The invitation emphasises that M. Herriot and Mr Ramsay Macdonald have not entered into any engagement. CAUSE OF DISPUTE. The publication of the Note makes clear the cause of tho protests made by the French newspapers, who allege that Britain’s proposal, if oarried out, would contravene the Treaty of Versailles,

FRENCH PREMIER

BIG OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED.

TO PREVENT LONDON VISIT. Reuter’s Telegram (Received July 7, 9.25 p.m.) PARIS, July 6. The Opposition launched a big antiHerriot offensive, the extremists demanding the immediate overthrow of the Government. The more moderate members of the Opposition are trying to prevent M. Herriot going to London until he has reassured the public that French interests will not be sacrificed. M. Herriot, in a speech at Troyes, declared that the experts’ report offered France the best chanoe of securing peace and payment. He deplored the Opposition’s efforts to distort and belittle the character of hie meeting at Chequers with the British Premier, and stated that the Government’s method was to pursue what unites, not what divides.

ALLIED CONFERENCE

DOMINIONS’ REPRESENTATIVES. POINT NOT DECIDED. Reuter’* IVlocnun LONDON, July 6. It is understood the dominions’ representatives in London will shortly he consulted in regard to the form of tho dominions* representation at the conference to be held in London on July 16th, whether by the High Commissioners or otherwise.

WILLING TO CO-OPERATE

S.A. PREMIER’S ASSURANCE Reuter’s Telegram. CAPETOWN, July 5. It Is officially stated that Mr Macdonald has invited the South African Government to send a representative to the conference preliminary to the Inter-Allied Conference. General Hertzqg so far has not nominated a delegate, hut he has expressed willingness to co-operate with the Imperial Government in any action which he thinks will tend to a fair and reasonable settlement.

EVACUATION OF RUHR

GERMANY WANT® ASSURANCE ‘ ‘INDISPENSABLE. Ranter's BERLIN, July 6. Commenting on a Paris newspaper report that the German Foreign Minister has demanded a prior or simultaneous evacuation’ of the Ruhr ae compensation for the obligations ex reeding those of the Treaty of Versailles, which, it is proposed, Germany shall undertake, the “Zeit,” Dr. Stresemann’s organ, says this demand was undoubtedly made. It emphatically declares that, without indispensable certainty in regard to the military evacuation of the Ruhr, no final result can he attained at the. London Conference.