HAGUE CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 28

HAGUE CONFERENCE

GERMAN REPARATIONS. CLAUSE ON SANCTIONS DRAFTED. THE HAGUE, January 8. The most important event of the day was a meeting of the French delegation, at which a provisional clause was drafted dealing with sanctions in the event of Germany’s default under the Young Plan. This was approved of by the British and Italian delegations and sent to the Germans. It provides for a judicial definition of default, after which the court will determine if thg default was wilful. STEADY PROGRESS REPORTED. THE HAGUE, January 10. Steady progress was reported at thq conference to-day, and there was a pleasant atmosphere of harmony, perhaps because the question -hether the Germans should pay on the 15th or the 30th of each month has been shelved for the time being. Mr Snowden reminded the Germans of the necessity of avoiding needless discussion on technicalities, as the time was short. The Germans took the rebuke iu good part. The Germans are preparing counterproposals to the French suggestions upon sanctions. PROSPECT OF AGREEMENT. RUGBY, January 10. The six chief delegates to The HagnA Conference continued this morning tho discussion of the technical and financial points, and it is hoped that during the day an agreement will bo reached on several important subjects, including the date of the payments. MR SNOWDEN OPTIMISTIC. THE HAGUE, January 10. Mr Snowden, speaking : t a journalists’ luncheon to the delegates, paid a tributo to the mutual friendly relations. He afterwards said he hoped that all outstanding questions would be decided by the six Powers on January 13, when he believed the full commission would be able to report a settlement on the German reparations. THE GERMAN DELEGATION. THE HAGUE. January 11. “Where are we now?” “Where are we now ? ” asked M. Jaspar at the morning meeting of the big six. Answering, “Nowhere,” Mr Snowden again demanded that the Germans should get down to facts. M. Cheron and Mr Snowden expressed disappointment that the German delegation had not submitted concrete proposals on Various points to bo discussed. Herr Moldenhauer began by explaining the attitude of the German delegation, but Mr Snowden curtly interrupted him. “ There has been too much talk by the German delegation and this discussion has lasted too long. It is intolerable. When one is a plenipotentiary one should be able to settle- matters without having to refere to someone else.” This blunt hint resulted in Dr Curtius promising that the Germans would submit the desired concrete proposals within two hours, for which purpose he would send the under-secretary to Geneva instead of going himself.

Uneasiness prevails in German quarters, iu view of Dr Schacht’s expected arrival to-morrow, regarding the standpoint he will adopt on the unsettled points.