REPARATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19046, 17 December 1923, Page 7

REPARATIONS.

UNITED STATES CLOSELY INVOLVED. VARIOUS AMERICAN VIEWS. Freaa Association —By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, December 15. The New iork Times financial editor states that American bankers of the socalled international group are ready but not eager to serve on tire proposed expert committees to study Uermany s finances, which all consider would be a taxing assignment. There is no enthusiasm for the plan in Vvall street, although no one who is appointed would decline. The bankers readily admit that the keynote of the whole of the reparations problem rests with America. Air Mitchell, of the National City Bank, advanced the belief that the European debts to America were closely involved, and if America insists on the payment of such debts they will probably be made in the long run, but at the United States’s expense. The executive heads of other great financial institutions disregard Mr Mitchell, and look with the view of Mr Coolidge that the i-epa-rations and the debts must bo kept apart; but the majority are inclined towards the opinion that a settlement of the reparations questions and the stability of Germany are closely linked with the United States’s continued prosperity.—A, and N.Z. Cable. A GERMAN PLEA. THE- TREASURY EMPTY. BRUTAL TAXATION FORESHADOWED. BERLIN. December 14. Herr Luther told reporters that the Treasury was empty. “The sooner people get rid of the belief that the country possesses magical reserves the better, he said. “We must rely solely on taxation to carry on to the end of the year. We possibly will be compelled to impose emergency taxation with inexorable brutality.’’—Sydney Sun Cable. RUHR SITUATION IMPROVING. PROBLEMS FOR FRANCE. REPARATIONS OR SECURITY. LONDON, December 14. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent says that the situation in the Ruhr is improving rapidly. It is suggested that Germany may make fresh reopen negotiations direct with France. M. Poincare is inclined to listen seeing that resistance is ended, but it is ominous that Berlin messages hint that Germany is contemplating diplomatic tactics calculated to threaten a new crisis first by appealing to the world to solve the financial chaos, second, by asking France point blank, “How can we pay reparations while you retain your grip of tire Ruhr?” It is contended that the Marx government has shown a resolute determination to pay reparations, and therefore is entitled to first obtain a clear understanding regarding I ranee’s intention. France is compelled to weigh the advantages of obtaining reparations against the possible loss of security. France is supporting the League of Nations’ scheme to obtain a loan for Hungary, which, unlike Austria-, provides for the "payment of moderate reparations. France may regard this as a model for assistance to Germany.—Sydney Sun Cable.