FRANCE'S FEAR OF GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 6

FRANCE'S FEAR OF GERMANY

' NVHiAT M. HERRIOT TOLD MR MACDONALD AT CHEQUERS. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. Bv Telegrnnh Pre“> Assn.—Copyright Router’s Telegram. PARIS, December 23. Tire “Eclair” publishes a long document, which, it claims, is a French ' official account of the conversations between' Mr Ramsay Macdonald and M. Herriot at Chequers in the autumn. From this account it appears that Mr Macdonald pointed out that it would be Tory difficult for him to obtain the dominions’ consent to an agreement to safeguard France, and that the Bri- , ti6h naval and military experts wero , opposed to the proposed Treaty of Mutual Guarantees. “A DAGGER POINTED.” M. Herriot, in reply, said that from General Noliet’e information, it appeared that Germany was preparing an ramv of a new typo. General Npllet was of opinion that with the 100,000 men allowed her under' the Treaty of Versailles, Germany would, dq again what Prussia did against Napoleon. France had a dagger, pointed at its 1 heart. M: Herriot said he would not be doing his duty unless he rendered ' Germany harmless. He would' prefer that France should not be paid renarations rather than that she should he compelled to give up security. If there were another war, France would be wiped off the map. Mr Macdonald replied sympathetically. but maintained his viewpoint. The Quai d’Orsav (French Foreign Office) admits that the account of tho Chequers conversations is authentic. The French Government proposes to inquire how the “Eclair” obtained it.