AT VARIANCE

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 5

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ALLIES AT LOGGERHEADS Cl INFERENCES ABORTIVE IS THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES CRUMBLING ? (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, November 16. (Received November 16, 5.5 p.m.) The Conference of Ambassadors sat for two hours, without reaching any definite decisions. Frances is believed to have demanded.— Firstly, the ex-Crown Prince’s extradition and internment for life; secondly, the complete re-establishment of inter-Allied military control at Berlin. France proposed firstly, that the Allies should make a joint demarche to Berlin; secondly, if the Allies were agreed, sanctions should later, individually or collectively, be decided upon; thirdly, if the Allies did not agree, each Government should be allowed take the measures it thought fit. A bald communique stated that the Conference adjourned until Saturday to allow of further consultations with the Governments concerned. It is learned that the British Ambassador remarked that, from a judicial viewpoint, if the extradition of the ex-Crown Prince were demanded, it would be necessary to insist on the same treatment of all war criminals whose handing over had not yet been demanded. M. Cambon declared that Russia was manufacturing ammunition for Germany and Herr Stinnes’ employees had left the Ruhr in order to make arms and amunition in unoccupied Germany. The Morning Post says it is hard to resist the conclusion that the Versailles Treaty is crumbling. Neither the Ambassadors’ Conference nor the Reparations’ Commission can agree for the simple reason both act under instrutcions from their Governments and the two chiefly concerned, France and Britain, view the European situation from a totally different standpoint. BERLIN, November 15. Krupp and his co-directors have been provisionally released, presumably in consequence of an agreement for resumption of reparation deliveries from the Krupp mines. It is generally assumed that this means a definite pardon. Mueller has also been released. THE EX-CROWN PRINCE. GERMAN CHANCELLOR’S DEFENCE. BERLIN, November 15. Dr Streseniann, interviewed, declared that the Crown Prince was promised that when the Ruhr struggle was over he would be allowed to return. The Government weighed every aspect of the question and came to the conclusion that everything was against refusal of permission. This was no time to create martyrs. An outcry would have been raised not only by the Nationalists but by the German people if the father of a family was not allowed to return after five years’ expulsion from his native country. It was the irony of fate that his return coincided with the Hitler insurrection. He was satisfied himself that the Crown Prince had no intention of mixing in the intrigues of the Nationalists and Militarists. It was safe to say he supported a policy of moderate constitutional Government in Germany. The Grown Prince was no longer, if he ever was, a reckless, dashing, sport-loving young cavalry lieutenant, but an ageing father of a growing up family. He was convinced public opinion would yet be forced to admit it was mistaken regarding the real personality of the Crown Prince, who was a man of ideas and courage. FRANCE'S WAR DEBTS. NO REPAYMENT TO BRITAIN. LONDON, November 15. (Received November 16, 10.0 p.m.) Mr Neville Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that France’s debt to Britain with accrued interest, totalled £612,000,000. It was true the French Chamber had voted credits of 800,000,000 francs for armaments for the Little Entente. “We have received,” added the Chancellor, “no interest on either France’s or the Little Entente’s war debts.” Mr A. M. Samuel: Is not this an opportunity to represent to France if she can find money for armaments and make loans to other states, she should make repayments to Britain? (Cheers.). Sir John Davidson: Cannot repreesntations also be made to Germany as they bought nearly all Australia’s wool. No replies were given.