NEW FIGURE IN FRANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 8

NEW FIGURE IN FRANCE.

MYSTERY MILLIONAIRE IN POWER. By Telegraph—Pre»s Copyright. United Serviot>. (Received Janjiary 20, 1 55 p.m.) LONDON, January 19. A vigorous effort make Germany pay in tho keynote of M. Briami’a policy, and the whole of Franco will back him, confident that it will not be through want of a clever man at the head of French affairs if the policy is not enforced. M. Loucheur is given charge of the Ministry of Repatriation. He is a strange figure. A few years ago ho was poverty-stricken. Now he is one of the wealthiest men in France. Me made enormous sums as a contractor during the war, and attained great political power. lie is no*.v regarded as tho mystery millionaire whose hand was in everything. M. Loucheur thinks that Germany is un-der-taxed. and is avoiding payment by asserting a state of bankruptcy. His policy is that tho \llies shall accept her word and assume control of her taxing and spending Departments. He proposes to take steps to give the German mark a positive value, and a iso to Increase the railway and other public service charges; to control the German Budget; tax the German taxpayer at a rate at least equal to the French sate; collect, taxes in the form of an indemnity ; and collect eight milliards or marks yearly in coal, as well as two milliards in chemicals, timber and Customs duties.