REPARATIONS PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18447, 7 January 1922, Page 7

REPARATIONS PROBLEM

CONFERENCE AT' CANNES. *• i 4 ANGLO-FRENCH DISAGREEMENT. \ FRANCE OPPOSES CONCESSIONS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 5. At Cannes M. Briand and Mr Lloyd George had several preliminary conversations, which are asserted to be satisfactory. Nevertheless the atmosphere on the eve of the conference is by no means clear, franco’s declaration that submarines should not be utilised in attacks on merchantmen has modified somewhat the feeling of resentment against France over her attitude at Washington. It is realised that Great Britain favours giving Germany some relief over the current year’s reparation payments, in which she will have Italy ’s‘support, while France sturdily opposes further concessions. As regards the instalment due, there is feeling' between Belgium and France. The former is likely to cause trouble. Mr Theunis (Belgium) and his colleagues take the View that tne total sum which Mr Lloyd George proposes that Germany should pay this year represents only what Belgium under the priority scheme is entitled to. If Belgium is firm on this point the Allies will get nothing. ' M. Briand accuses Belgium of pursuing a policy of isolation, and warns her that she may lose her priority right. M. Briand apprehends that without Belgium’s support Great Britain and Italy may enforce the moratorium proposal.—A. and N.Z. Cable.