REPARATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16416, 3 May 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

CONFERENCE AN ACUTE STRUGGLE. AMERICA MAY BE ASKED TO MEDIATE. By Tslsyrnph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, 31 ay 1. The newspapers, discussing the Supreme Council, point out that the Allies may invite America to mediate. The “ Daily Express ” says that Germany's appeal to America has been resultless and there is no reason why the Allies should not seek America's offices. The “Dailv News” says the naked fact about the week-end meetings is tiiat they have been devoted to. a struggle more acute than any Allied Conference since that at Spa- The problem can never be permanently settled without America. SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. AN AMERICAN VIEW. NEW YOJiK, May 2. The Washington correspondent of •ho New York “World” declares (that beyond reaffirmation of the /declaration that the United States I will take no steps in connection j with the reparations settlement without tho approval of the Allied Governments, officials of the State Department decline to make any comment regarding ! tho deliberations of the inter-Allied Conference in London. It is understood -that the United States Government will reserve comment until a conclusion is reached, and until then will not make a formal reply to Germany’s request, for transmission to tli© Allies of its latest proposals. Feeling among diplomats and officials is decidedly optimistic, the opinion j prevailing that a satisfactory settlement « will be reached. THE TAX ON GERMAN GOODS. CAPE TOWN, May 2. “ Volksstem,” the Government organ, states that tho German ConsulGeneral informed Germans in tho south-west protectorate that the Union Government does not intend to impose the 50 per cent on German goods laid down in the reparation terms. So far no official announcement has been made on the matter.