AFFAIRS IN EUROPE

Otago Witness, Issue 3801, 18 January 1927, Page 31

AFFAIRS IN EUROPE

GERMAN POLITICS. BERLIN, January 11. - Marshal Hindenburg has entrusted Doctor Curtius with the formation of a new Government. After a conference of the Nationalists and the People's Party it was decided that Dr Curtius should accept the task.

GERMAN DISARMAMENT. LONDON, January 12. The Daily Mail Paris correspond-. ent says that von Powel has intimated Germany’s virtual refusal to destroy the new Eastern foritfications. He contends that the Ver-i sailles Treaty allows the extension and improvement. The Allies are therefore submitting the clauses relating to-'fortifi-cations to The Hague Court for definition. Experts .maintain that the fortifications are intended for offence not defence. PARIS, January 12. Marshal Foch still refuses to agree that Germany is disarmed. He said : “If the Germans are going to be allowed to construct fortresses as -they wish, and even to manufacture heavy guns, I cannot prevent it; but I shall refuse to sharo the responsibility. -The conference of ambassadors is raising objections on two issues—namely, the German eastern fortifications and the right to manufacture war material for export; but there aro many other clauses of the disarmament nlan which the Germans have not yet fulfilled.” GERMAN POLITICS. BERLIN, January 14. Dr Curtius has failed to form a Gov* eminent owing to the Centre Party refusing to co-operatie with the Nationalists, - as they doubted the latter’s although the promise was given that D» Marx’s and Dr Stresemann’s foreign policy would be carried out. There is now a possibility of an election, as ther< is no likelihood of finding a Government commanding a majority of the Rechstag. January 15. Marshal Hindenburg has commissioneif Dr Marx to negotiate with different parties with a view to the formation of a Coalition Cabinet. k ‘-3 GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS. ' PARIS, January 44. General Von Pawels has J handed tha Inter-allied Military - Committee written, proposals regarding Germany’s ■ eastern -? fortifications, which .the Allied experts are of opinion may. constitute a basis of discussion. It is understood in Berlin that conversations regarding the manufacture of war material are proceeding satisfactorily.

DISARMAMENT. " ; ' PARIS, January 14. ■ The newspapers chorus disapproval of Germany’s dilatoriness regarding disarmament negotiations'. In one journal Gen many is described as beiig mh IdfwM