REPARATION DEMANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3500, 12 April 1921, Page 15

REPARATION DEMANDS

AMERICA STANDS WITH THE ALLIES. WASHINGTON, April 4. Tlie State Department has published the text of the informal Note presented to tho German Government. It declares that the American Government is pleased to noto in Dr von Simons’s memorandum an unequivocal expression of the German Government’s desire to afford reparation to tho limit of Germany’s ability. The United States stands with the Allied Governments in holding that Germany was responsible for the war, and therefore she

is morally bound to make reparations as far as possible. The United States believes that the recognition of this obligation is the only sound basis on which can be built a firm and just peace under which the various nations of Europe can achieve economic independence and stability. The United States recognises in Dr von Simons’s memorandum Germany’s sincere desire To reopen negotiations which, once resumed, may lead to a prompt settlement which will satisfy the Allies’ just claims. Dr von Simons, in his memorandum, says: “It is the earnest desire of the German Government to reach accord with the Allied Governments and to meet their requirements as far as possible. The assertions that Germany is reluctant to recognise her reparation obligations is incorrect. It is clear not only to the German Government but to ‘the German people, that Germany must make reparations to the limit of her ability.” Dr von Simons points out that Germany repeatedly offered labour, technical advice, and material assistance for building up the devastated regions, but the offers did not even reach the point of diplomatic exchange. The German Government intends to submit fresh proposals to France regarding the rebuilding of the devastated areas. Germany is willing to assume her obligations in regard to the amortisation of the Allied foreign debts within the limit of her capacity, should such a measure he acceptable'to the Allies and to their creditor. There is some misinterpretation of a single important sentence in Mr Hughes’s memorandum to Germany reading : “The United States recognises Germany’s sincere desire to reopen negotiations with the Allies on a new basis.” Portion of the press is inclined to think that this means the reopening of the Versailles Treaty, but the State Department’s meaning is the resumption of the reparation negotiations which summarily ended at London recently. Official circles are anxious tha* there should be no wrong reading of Mr Hughes’s meaning. PARIS, April 6. M. Briand reiterated France’s determination to compel Uermany to pay war damages. Germany would find means to pay when the Allies substituted acts for words. The supreme moment was approaching, and France was determined to have the last word. Germany had been fully warned that France was' determined to exact her due, forcibly if necessary. BERLIN, April' 6. The German national press vehemently protests against America’s demand that Germany shall admit responsibility for the war. WORK OF RESTORATION. PARIS, April 7. France, in a Memorandum to Washington replying to Dr von Simons’s allegations relating to the devastated regions, points out that Germany has not made a serious effort to restore Northern France, though France has energetically continued reparation work. UPPER SILESIA. BERLIN, April 8. Germany has sent to the Allies a Note claiming that Upper Silesia is indivisible, and claiming the retention of the whole area- over which the plebiscite was taken. Yielding to the demands of the Nationalists, the German Gevernment is organising a demonstration as a reply to M. Briand.