PROBLEMS OF PEACE

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 15

PROBLEMS OF PEACE

SPA COAL ARRANGEMENT. COPENHAGEN, January 9. Advices from Berlin state that the German delegation which negotiated with the French representatives regarding the prolongation. of the Spa coal arrangement have refused to resume negotiations at Paris, on the ground that France’s demeanour has shown it to be impossible to reach any arrangement. COST OF THE' RHINE ARMIES. LONDON, January 10. The Daily News summarises the measures Britain and France are taking m order to fix definitely the form and amount of the German indemnity and reparations. They include 41 searching questions which go to the root of the financial situation in Germany. The German answers will probably "be available for tho Allied Conference on the 19th inst. The Daily News believes that Germany is answering the questions frankly, including details of the plight of German capital and Germany’s export trade. France ;s troubled by the cost of the upkeep of the Rhine armies, particularly the 263,000,000 dollars’ cost of the upkeep of 14,000 American soldiers, compared with the 2,002,000,000 francs which the 90,000 French soldiers have cost France since the armistice. PARIS, January 11. The American Ambassador has informed M. Leygues (French Premier) that the Lnited States has decided not to be further represented on the Ambassadors’ Council and also to refrain from taking part in the next Supreme Council. America will continue to participate oi the Reparations Commission. Le Matin declares that this decision has been taken owing to the French demand that Germany should be compelled to fulfil her pledges. A semi-official Note points out that the American decision to emit the Supreme Council is merely formal, as America has not participated since 1919 except in the capacity as an observer. Formal action is necessarv in view of Mr Wilson’s retirement, though German propagandists m America are suggesting that American sympathies are with Germany. TURKEY AND GREECE. LONDON, January 11. A communique issued by the" Greek General Staff in Asia Minor confirms the opening of a Greek offensive against the Turkish Nationalist forces. Two hundred prisoners and a quantity of war material were captured during attacks east of Smyrna which resulted in the Turks re tiring in disorder. Karkoui station, on the Bagda d railwav, was occupied. ATHENS, January 11. Constantine has started a strong offensive at Smyrna, and has left for the front to take command. LONDON, January 14. The Greeks captured Bozeuyuk after considerable resistance, the enemy having concentrated there for the defence of Eskishehr. The enemy have now retreated to Eskishehr. The Kenialists suffered heavy losses. The Greeks had 40 killed and 160 wounded.