THE ALLIED CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18159, 2 February 1921, Page 5

THE ALLIED CONFERENCE

THE REPARATIONS AGREEMENT,

TRIBUTE TO BELGIAN MINISTERS,

SATISFACTION IN FRANCE,

Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, January 30. M. Briand, in acknowledging Mr Lloyd George’s closing tribute to the conference, thanked the members, particularly the Belgian Ministers, M. Jaspar and M. Thennis, who both worked hard as obliging and clearsighted intermediaries to reconcile the opposing standpoints. M. Jaspar then expressed his own satisfaction at Belgium’s role in the matter, and added that it was impossible not to be satisfied with the final result of the conference. Germany’s disarmament, whicn was as important to Belgium as to the other Allies, was now guaranteed by energetic measures. Regarding reparations, although the Belgian demands had been somewhat reduced the realities of the situation had been made more precise. “Wo are sure of a minimum and sure that Germany must pay us all that her economic development will enable her to pay.” ■ PARIS, January 30. The newspapers, in outlining the genesis of the reparations agreement in its final form, pay a tribute to M. Jaspar for showing the way out of the difficulty of fixing the total by suggesting fixed annuities “ with a variable margin, dependent on the growth of German exports.” The conference thereupon tackled the problem of how far the fixed part of the annuities, contemplated by the Boulogne Agreement, ought to be reduced in view of the variable margin, which is bound to increase with each annuity. Active negotiations behind the scenes followed, and M. Loucheur’s (French Minister of Finance) efforts to bring Mr Lloyd George and M. Briand into full agreement were crowned with success. —A. and N.Z. Cable. The whole of the French press is purring with satisfaction, bat it depends on the sequel whether Hie conference will prove the turning point in Europe’s fortunes.

The correspondent of The Times states that at the dose of the conference the delegates enthusiastically sang each other’s National Anthems. Another report states that they sang them simultaneously, but the truth of this is considered doubtful, as the finale would be too dreadful to contemplate. By mid-March (adds the correspondent) we may know whether the sudden orgy of good work and self-congratulation will be followed by repentance. After a conference in London on February 21 the Germans will attend a further conference on the 28th to signify whether they assent to the Paris decisions. The press, in reviewing the whole work of the Paris Conference, is unanimous in emphasising its having reconstituted in peace the united front which made for victory in the war. M. Briand, in a statement to the prets representatives, said he would not hear of any German shuffling in the matter of reparation. He added: “It is impossible. We have taken all ,the precautions necessary regarding disarmament.” He said it would be complete because the Allies wished it.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

GERMANY’S ABILITY TO PAY.

HER INDUSTRIES FLOURISHING

PARIS, January 31. M. Poincare, in the Matin, points out that German industries are flourishing, and the Allies are justified in taxing her future prosperity. Already German pamphlets are demanding the neutrality Of Alsace and Lorraine as a first step towards annexation, thus proving the rebirth of Imperialism, the aim of which is to regain Germany's pre-war power. M. Viviani, in the Petit Journal, says that Germany will pay_ if the Allies strongly and unitedly desire it. If Germany does not comprehend the justice of the demands, only force remains.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

GERMANY’S HOPES DOOMED,

BITTER PRESS COMMENT,

A CHORUS OP EXECRATION.

BERLIN, January 30. The news regarding the decisions of the Paris Conference was received with an outburst on the part of the press and public. The latter pinned their hopes on Anglo-French friction; consequently their agreement produced a dramatic shock and disappointment. The evening papers contain a chorus of execration. The Tageblatt declares that the members of the conference are inhabitants of a lunatic asylum, and tauntingly advise the Allies to come and collect the’ booty, as Germany cannot pay. Other comments are equally bitter. The greatest public resentment is shown at the drawn-out terms for reparation. Financiers and economists refuse to consider the Boulogne plan as even remotely possible, and are now questioning the validity of the decision, claiming that the German Government has not been given an opportunity to be heard regarding reparations, as provided by Article 233 of the Peace Treaty.—Times.

THE FIXED ANNUITIES.

PARIS, January 30. The fixed annuities represent 226.000. marks in gold. Some experts consider that an ad valorem tax should quickly yield an annuity of 2.000. marks in gold throughout the whole period; therefore to the 226.000. marks must be added a further 84,000,000,000, making a total of 310.000. marks in gold, payable in 42 years. The scheme './ill operate from May 1, 1921.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ENFORCEMENT OF REPARATIONS

A'PESSIMISTIC VIEW.

LONDON, January 31. The Manchester Guardian takes a pessimistic view of the possibility of enforcing the reparations. It considers that the endeavours to hold Germany in thraldom will eventually lead to war, probably the same as in Ireland. The paper believes that encouragement to Germany to Increase her exports will create fierce competition with French and English manufacturers, and will seriously affect the economic conditions of both countries.

ANGLO-FRENCH SOLIDARITY,

LONDON. January 31. British opinion, while less triumphant than that n France, is generally satisfied with the result of the Paris Conference, chiefly on the ground that it seals AngloFrench solidarity and promises to end the uncertainty which had been hampering reconstruction in Europe since the armistice. The Agreement imposes on the parties thereto a joint enterprise which will necessitate their ur broken co-operation for half a century.

SCHEME FOB AUSTRIA,

SYNDICATE TO CONTROL FINANCES.

PARIS. January 30.

The main point of M. Lor sheur’s Austrian scheme is the transfer of the financial and economic administration of Austria to a syndicate with a capital of 200,000,000 francs. The Allies, with a view to encouraging the formation of the syndicate, renounced their claims on Austria, and will strive to facilitate the task of economic conferences in Vienna, which are intended to enable Austria to resume regular commerce with her. neighbours. The Allies demand the reduction of a number of the official staffs in Austria and other reforms.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

EXPORT TAX LEVY.

AMERICA DISSATISFIED,

NEW YORK, January 31 (Received Feb. 1, at 11 p.m.)

The New York World’s Washington correspondent states that while there_ is general approval in Congressional circles of the Allied action in. fixing a definite sum for German reparations, there is considerable dissatisfaction expressed over the-levy of a 12 per cent, export tax. Politicians profess to believe that this clause means that the United States will contribute largely to Germany’s payments, as the latter is certain to add a tax to the price of goods shipped to America.— A. and N.Z. Cable.