ALLIED CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18157, 31 January 1921, Page 5

ALLIED CONFERENCE

DISARMAMENT OF GERMANY.

REPORTS BY MILITARY EXPERTS,

FRANCE AND REPARATION,

Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, January 23.

The military experts furnished reports to the Supremo Council in which it is under stood they recommend that Germany be given until July to disband and disarm her civil troops and immediately surrender a large quantity of war material under serious penalties. Some of the newspapers do not think the French and British views are so irreconcilable as they appear. The Petit Journal says: “If our Allies give up the idea of exacting all they mignt obtain and adopt a scheme for diminishing France’s share it will be legitimate for France to obtain from the Allies a precise assurance that they will immediately help France to restore her financial equilibrium, which has been disturbed by the uncertainty regarding Germany’s payments.* It is understood that the conference is considering a scheme requiring Germany to pay the Boulogne annuities plus an annual tax of about 12 per_ cent, on German exports. The impression is that finality is likely to be reached.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE GERMAN INDEMNITY,

BASIS OF PAYMENT FIXED

LATER CONFERENCE IN LONDON,

PARIS, January 29. Mr Lloyd George and M. Briand reached agreement that Germany should pay 42 annuities varying from £100,000,000 to £300,000,000; also 12i per cent, of all German exports.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received Jan. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) The new indemnity formula provides for a series of annuities varying from £100,000,000 to £300,000,000 tor 42 years, the amount being regulated by German trade. Great Britain’s share will be 22 per cent. Germany will also pay 12i per cent, on all her exports, but there-will be no fixed sum which Germany shall finally pay. The Supreme Council will meet tomorrow to conclude the agreement, which will then be sent tq Germany without discussion with the German delegates. Correspondents claim that the result is a triumph for Mr Lloyd George, as tho proposal generally corresponds to the Boulogne Agreement.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PARIS, January 29.

(Received Jan. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) The conference later adopted the reparations report as cabled, and decided to meet the German representatives at the conference in London on February 28. The reparation terms will include 42 annuities dating from May, 1921. The first two will be of £100,000,000 each; the next three of £150,000,000; then three of £200,000,000; and three of £250,000,000, and finally 31 of £300,000,000. Great Britain’s total share will be £2,486,000,000. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

CRITICAL SITUATION AVERTED. PARIS, January 29. (Received Jan. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) The situation at the conference was critical during the afternoon, Mr Lloyd George threatening to leave immediately for Lon don. Lord D’Abernon (British Ambassador in Germany) intervened and secured certain amendments to the French plans, which improved the situation.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

STATEMENT BY MR LLOYD GEORGE,

UNABLE TO HELP AUSTRIA.

PARIS, .January 28. Mr Lloyd George, addressing journalists, said he was hopeful of getting substantial reparation before the conference was concluded. Definite proposals about Germany’s ability to pay would be formulated. England was no less interested than France, because England’s people were the most heavily taxed people in the world. The trouble was that everybody wanted gold, which Germany had not got, and they would not take Gorman goods. He believed there would be no difficulty about disarmament. ' Continuing, Mr Lloyd George said it was no use advancing millions to Austria. The fact was that Austria was now a small State unable to bear the cost of such a capital as Vienna. England had already advanced millions to Austria, and England and France, under their heavy taxation, could not supply millions to Austria. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

ALLIED UNITY EMPHASISED

NOTHING SHALL IMPAIR IT.

I PARIS, January 29. (Received Jan. 30, at 11 p.m.) The Allies passed a resolution that they were convinced that close union was as necessary to the preservation of peace as to the winning of the war, and that they were determined to allow nothing to impair it. Such a union was the surest guarantee of the execution of treaties. The importance of fidelity to the international engagements agreed to in connection therewith was also stressed. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE.

COMPLETE SUCCESS ACHIEVED,

TRUE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION. / PARIS, January 29. (Received Jan. 30, at 11 p.m.) M. Briand expresses, on behalf of Prance, his great appreciation of the success of the conference, in which he had been pleased and proud to participate. He realised that the great progress which had been made by the Conference in helping to carry out the laborious task of solving the problems before them had rendered a service not only to France, hut to mankind at large. They had succeeded by making mutual concessions. He cordially thanked members for the assistance which they had given. Without this the success would have been nothing like so complete. Mr Lloyd George, in responding, said : “We indeed have good reason to congratulate ourselves upon a remarkable achievement, which was - largely due ,to the admirable way in which M. Briand presided. Although he assumed office only a fortnight ago, he has shown the greatest knowledge, skill, and ability in guiding the deliberations. It has been my painful duty to criticise what he said on several occasions, but I did that for his good, a,nd because of my affection for him, and with good results as we now see. I thank him most sincerely, also M. Doumer, M. Lou cheur, and our other colleagues, who all contributed to the success of a Conference so fruitful of the future good Europe.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT,

THE RESULTS ACHIEVED

PARIS, January 29,

{Received Jan. 30, at 11 p.m.) The newspaper Temps says : “Germany needs peace. We hope she will recognise the necessity of fulfilling her obligations voluntarily, and that she will also have the courage to grasp her responsibilities. The Journal des Debats says that the principal cause for rejoicing at the results of the Conference is the maintenance of Allied unity, which no living statesman dare disturb.

The Intransigeant hails tp-day as a good day for France, adding : “It is a step forward on the real road to peace.” Liberte says that Mr Lloyd George, with profound political wisdom, has brought about concrete decisions, while M. Briand has achieved a grand success.

DISARMAMENT CONDITIONS

PENALTIES FOR NON-FULFILMENT.

PARIS, January 29. (Received Jan. 30, at 11 p.m.) The Premiers’ Conference has been concluded.

. The penalties for Germany’s non-fulfil-ment of the disarmament conditions will be the Allied occupation of the Ruhr and an extension of the period of occupation of the Rhine, and also the refusal to allow Germany to join the League of Nations. The penalties also include the seizure of the German Customs revenue.— A. and N.Z. Cable.

CENTRAL EUROPEAN AFFAIRS,

PARIS, January 29.

(Received Jan. 30, at 11 p.m^) A further Conference will be held at Trieste shortly, to which the small nations of Central Europe will be invited, for the purpose of reaching an agreement on Austrian affairs.—A. and N.Z. Cable.