REPARATION PROPOSALS

Otago Witness, Issue 3494, 22 February 1921, Page 16

REPARATION PROPOSALS

GERMANY'S POLICY. BERLIN, February 12. Herr Wilts, Minister of Finance, in addressing the Chamber of Commerce, said that the German Government was not going to London to submit to dictation. It was prepared to do its utmost, because it felt morally obliged to assist in reconstruction, therefore it would submit reparation proposals to the London Conference. The nation must realise that payment must be made not from national wealth, but from work, and it was therefore questionable whether all the fruits of the revolution could be safeguarded. It would be impossible for America to remain aloof when the world’s economic force assembled at the conference, because the decisions would remain m the region of theories unless the whole economic world co-operated. TAX ON EXPORTS: PARIS, February IS. The Foreign Minister, in consequence of protests by the German newspapers and peatral traders, has issued a statement that the proposed 12 per cent, tax does not aim at compelling Germany to create a tax on exports, out to force her fo deduct 12 per cent, from the total value of her exports. BERLIN, February 14 Dr von Simons, in a speech at Stuttgart, declared that the reparations’ demand, which was based on Germany’s future exports, were fantastical. A 12 oer cent, duty was impossible, and vv mid ure the entire European trade. The counter-propositions would show that Germany was ready to work in otter earnest to heal the war wounds, provided It was within her capacity. The coun-ter-proposals would not be fantastical, but what Germany could pay with an effort. A large loan would be necessary to rehabilitate the tottering countries, but this could only be raised by scrap ping the terms of the Versailles Treaty. GERMANY STILL SHUFFLING. BERLIN, February 15. After conferring with the Baden Cabinet at Karlsruhe, Dr von Simons addressed the Diet. He declared that no German statesman would dare to call on the people to perforin a 42 years’ corvee under the Entente conditions. Germany must there fore refuse to sign such an undertaking. Two important factors in the impending clearing up would be whether Germany was to reie.in 1 pm r Silesia and what her relations were with the United States. CONCEALED ARMS. AMSTKRI) A M, February 10. A German detachment for several weeks has conducted searches for secret depots of arms and munitions in Rhineland and Westphalia. Great hauls of machine guns and shells have been made, especially in Country districts.

GERMANY’S INTENTION S. BRUSSELS, February 13. A member of the Foreign Affairs Commission, speaking in the Chamber of Representatives, expressed the opinion that the disarmament of Germany was an accomplished fact, and the pacifism of the German people certain. M. Hymans, replying, declared that the idea of revenge was very deep-rooted in Germany. Therefore, Belgium ought not to allow herself to be lulled into false security. GERMAN COUNTER PROPOSALS. PARIS, February 18. It is believed in diplomatic circles that the German counter-proposals will include a reduction in the reparation payments and the delimitation of the trade spheres in various countries, Germany thus hoping to secure the Russian markets. Finally, reconstruction of the devastated areas by German contractors and workmen. OPPOSITION BY BRITISH LABOUR. LONDON, February 18. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party Executive adopted a manifesto deprecating the German indemnity as fixed at Paris as being impossible of fulfilment, and calculated to lead to further unemployment in Britain. The manifesto de dares that it is unthinkable that Europe can exist as an armed camp for 42 years, and believes that if Germany is given breathing space she will make good the actual devastation. FRENCH PATIENCE, EBBING. LONDON, February 18. France's reply to the recent defiant speeches by Herr Simons is quick and decisive. It is announced that Marshal Foch, in collaboration with AIM. Briand, Barthou, and General Retain, has drawn up plans for an immediate advance by French troops in the event of Germany s refusal to accept the Allies’ reparation proposals on the basis of the Paris agreement. Amongst other military precautions will be the retention of the 1918 1919 classes with the colours and the maintenance of an especially alert army of occupation in the Rhine area. France expects to receive a strong mandate from the Allies, although this will not prevent Britain from carrying out her part in the same role. PARTS. February 19. According to the Petit Parisicn s Berlin correspondent, the German Government has decided to suspend disarmament pending the result of the negotiations in Loudon. ARGENTINA UNOONCERXED. BUENOS AYRES, February 18. Argentina has refused a inquest by the Allies that she should prevent the German exportation of war materials to Argentina, ; which is in violation of the Versailles | Treaty. The Government takes up the ground that, Argentina is not concerned in the stipulations of a treaty to which she is no party.

GERMAN SLANDERS REPUDIATED. WASHINGTON, February 19. The State Department has published a report of the investigation by American officers in Germany of alleged malfeasance and barbarity by French coloured troops in occupied regions. The report states that the charges are grossly exaggerated, there being only 66 cases of misconduct towards women un to June, 1920. The charges were merely used for propaganda purposes, especially in America.