LONDON CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 5

LONDON CONFERENCE

ADJOURNED TILL JANUARY 2. REPARATIONS PROBLEM. GERMAN PLAN UNACCEPTABLE. Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 11. Official; As it is impossible for the Prime Ministers, in the time available to reach definite conclusions regarding reparations, and as the German Chancellor’s plan has been unanimously found to be unsatisfactory, it has been decided to resume the conversations on January 2, in order to allow the plenary conference to assemble immediately afterwards and come to a definite decision before January 15.—A. and N.Z. Cable. AN ALTERNATIVE SCHEME. GERMANY’S NEW PROPOSALS. PARIS, December 11. , It is understood that Herr Bergmann nas presented new suggestions, which are more precise than Herr Cuno’s—first, that the German debt shall be reduced to 40 milliards of gold marks; secondly, that a mortgage of 20 per cent, shall be conceded to the Allies on German property, valued at 200 milliards of gold marks; thirdly, that participation shall be granted 1 to the Allies in all private enterprises ; fourthly, Germany would propose the creation of a mutual hank, with a neutral president, which would assure all the operations under the scheme. In exchange for these advantages Germany proposes aa indispensable—first, the evacuation of Rhineland; secondly, the suppression of tho military control now existing in Germany; thirdly, a complete modification of the Sarre regime in the sense of German participation in the management of the coal bases.—A. and N.Z. Cable REDUCTION OF DEBTS. SUGGESTED AMERICAN PLAN. LONDON, December 11. The Evening Standard publishes a report, with reserve, that Senator M'Cor mick will come to London with a plan which he evolved in consultation with Herr Cuno, rvhereby if the French will reduce their total reparations claim to two thousand millions without qualification, America will cancel the direct debt of the Continental Allies to herself, and possibly slightly reduce her claims on Britain. America will expect the immediate Allied evacuation of the Rhineland.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRANCE’S ANNEXATION THREAT. GERMAN WOMEN’S PROTEST. BERLIN, December 11. A mass meeting of several thousand women at Cologne passed a resolution protesting against France’s threatened annexation of the territory, and calling on women all over tho world to rise in support of Rhineland’s desire to remain German.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ACTION NECESSARY. OPINION IN FRANCE. PARIS, December 11. (Received Dec. 12, at 7.55 p.m.) Bitter disappointment is expressed that the conference adjourned without reaching an agreement regarding the necessity for taking immediate action against Germany, particularly regarding the seizure of the Ruhr. L© Temps says: “Action, action, and only action is necessary to save Europe.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. “FRANCE’S CHIEF ENEMY.’’ MR BONAR LAW CRITICISED. LONDON, December 11, (Received Dec. 12, at 7.55 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says that surprise is expressed at Mr Bonar Law’s attitude. Hitherto Mr Lloyd George was regarded as France’s chief enemy, and now it is discovered that Mr Bonar Law’s policy is indistinguishable from Mr Lloyd / George’s. It is reported that Mr Bona/ Law told M. Poincare over the week-end: ITf you believe it is in France’s interests to go to the Ruhr, by all means go, but Great Britain will not accompany you.” The French press recalls that Mr Lloyd George always said practically the same things L’O'euvre, contrasting M. Poincares promises and performances, points out that many times more reparations were received during M. Briand’s regime than during M. Poincare’s.—A. and N.Z. Cable. • FRENCH POINT OF VIEW. COMPLETE REVERSAL NECESSARY. LONDON, December 11. (Received. Dec. 12, at 7.30 p.m.) Official circles realise that only a complete reversal of the French point of view will make an Allied agreement possible regarding the Ruhr. Before the conference broke up Signor Mussolini protested rigorously that if the Allied statesmen would display an average amount of courage and reasonableness a general immediate settlement would be possible, both regarding reductions and the cancellation of interallied debts. M. Poincare is reported to have slated that though Signor Mussolini’s proposals conceded all the pledges demanded last August, those no longer were sufficient for France.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MORATORIUM FOR GERMANY. FRANCE’S SAFEGUARD. LONDON, December 11. It is reported in French circles that Germany will be granted a moratorium till January 15. France will then occupy the Ruhr as a condition.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ITALY’S ATTITUDE. SIGNOR MUSSOLINI INTERVIEWED. LONDON, December 11. (Received Dec. 12, at 5.5 p.m.) Signor Mussolini, interviewed, said that the conference might have ended better, but this was the first time the questions of debts and reparations have been considered together, leaving America out of the question, so we must be content. The interval until January 2 would be useful. It was imperative that a solution should be reached then, as the moratorium expired on January 15. ’I he German Note nad been found to be unsatisfactory, and no one wanted it. Italy’s attitude regarding the occupation of the Ruhr -depended whether, In the interval, the Germans would show the slightest symptom of paying up. Asked whether Italy would side with France if Germany showed bad iaith. Signor Mussolini said; “Wait and see.” He added that one could be assured that the Earl of Balfour’s Note had been wiped out. —A. and N.Z. Cable.