REPARATIONS PROBLEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17029, 14 August 1929, Page 7

REPARATIONS PROBLEM

CONCESSIONS TO BRITAIN AN UNOFFICIAL MOVE (EJec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received August 14, 11 a.m.) THE HAGUE, August 13. With tho financial and political commissions not sitting, the French, Belgian, and Italian delegates are privately exploring methods for meeting Britain's claims for a reduction of deliveries in kind.

Una of tho proposals being discussed is that of offering Britain £1,5U),0C0 of the £2,600,000 surplus under the Young plan allocated to the service of tho international bauk. France and Belgium are understood to have agreed to this offer, but the Italians have not yet consented. BRITAIN'S CLAIM JUST AN ECONOMIST'S COMMENT Australian and N.Z. Press Association., (Received August 14, 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 13. Addressing the Institute of Politics at V\ illiaiustowu, Massachusetts, to-day, Mr. Herbert Heaton, economist at the University of Minnesota, and a native of England, declared that Mr. Snowden was justified in his objections to the desertion of the Spa percentage and the distribution of unconditional' German payments.

Iu his demand for the abolition of payment in kind, however, Mr. Heaton be hcves that tho. British spokesman was on less firm ground. In making the demand for the Spa restoration, Mr. Snowden merely wished to get money whiel would recoup England for sums already paid to America. As tho sums stiil owing were provided for in the Youiv report, he declared that the Chancellor's demand for a larger share of unconditional annuities was also just iff able, as should Germany bo unable to pay her annuities m full in any vear

"surely all creditors should' suffer equal lv in that event. If, on the other hand, Germany was able to pay regularly and in full, France would have lost nothing by admitting England's right to a larger share of unconditional payments."

FURTHER CONVERSATIONS BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) LONDON, August 13. When The Hague conference resumes on Wednesday M. Loucheur will deal with reparations in kind, giving further time for conversations on other matters. Tho Daily Herald's correspondent at The Hague says the reason that Mr. Snovvden agreed to an adjournment was because he was convinced that the conversations now proceeding between the financial experts provide a good enough basis for negotiations, and indicate willingness on the part of the French and the Italians to waive their claims to certain sums not definitely indicated in the Young plan, in order to restore to Gicat Britain the amount she loses under the present distribution of annuities. According to a French forecast, published in the Daily Telegraph, an effort will be made to" increase the British share of payments from Germany by £2.OGOJOOO. Tho Daily Telegraph's diplomatic writer says ho is able to state authoritatively that the British troops will be withdrawn from the Rhineland before the end of the year, irrespective of the decision of The Hague conference.

MORE CONCILIATORY BETTER FRENCH TONE .Australian and N.Z. Press Association.; (Received August 14, 10 a.m.) PARIS, August 12. Press comments reveal a more conciliatory altitude toward Britain s Hague demands. Le Journal reports an interview with Mrs. iSaowden, in which she said: "You ssk how to surmount the difficulties. The lxjply is 'Give England a feeling that she is no longer unfairly treated. 1 consider what she asks is due.' "

Le Matin, while opposing a total recasting of the Young plan, nevertheless declared that it is not hostile to seeking to satisfy England within the limits of the plan. L'Avenir, however, peremptorily asks: "Does Mr. Snowdeji persist in demanding a. revision of the annuities at our expense? It so, then we would remind MM. Hriand and Cheron that there aro excellent trains from The Hague.