FRANCE’S DEBT

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1932, Page 7

FRANCE’S DEBT

DECISION OF M- HERRIOT PAYMENT WITH RESERVATION GOVERNMENT IN DANGER OBJECTION BY SOCIALISTS TENSE SCENE IN CHAMBER . By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. - . Paris, Dec. 12. “France will pay America with reservations,” summarises M. Herriot’s statement on his war debts policy delivered to a thronged and excited Chamber of Deputies, which resembled a fashionable theatre on a first night. ■ M. Herriot refused to specify the reservations as he wished to act unitedly with Britain, which had shown “admirable loyalty, uprightness and confidence.” The Deputies loudly cheered the statement that “Britain on all subjects, but ‘ particularly in money matters, is irreproachably upright. She refused to be ' treated differently from France over the payment on December 15. ■ M. ' Herriot said France had three alternatives.' The first was payment un-. reservedly, which was unacceptable, and the second was refusal to pay, which was' also unacceptable. France s signa- *-• ture must be honoured. All hopes of international peace was based on the sanctity of contracts. The Chamber s feelings against payment were understandable in view of France’s sacrifice, but the Government had to rise above temporary passions and consider France s permanent interests. Refusal to .pay would intensify anti-French propaganda in America and jeopardise future settlement. X ’ The third alternative was to pay with reservations. This was the only possible course. “If we do not honour our signature I do not see how we can resume the negotiations,” he declared. The Chamber then adjourned till tomorrow. Prior to the speech a meeting or Socialists, on whom M. Herriot relies for his majority, rejected payment in ’ any form pending the summoning of a general debts conference. As the Right is uncompromisingly opposed to payment and the Centre is also believed to be hostile the Government’s position is considered critical, despite the favourable impression created by M. Herriot s speech. ' . ‘FRENCH SOLDIERS’ PROTEST. WREATH ON WASHINGTON STATUE. Rec.' 11.56 p.m. London, Dec. 13. Hundreds of ex-soldiers and civilians traversed Paris streets last night to the Washington statue, where Colonel la Roque laid a wreath, protesting at the debt payment, says the Daily Mail correspondent., There were • 460 arrests, all being subsequently released. Colonel la Roque afterwards went to the American Embassy and delivered to the Ambassador an ex-servicemen’s letter protesting against the payment.