THE GERMAN OFFER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 9

THE GERMAN OFFER.

UNFAVOURABLE RECEPTION. Sr Tel,*rapli—Pr«a, Awociatlon —Copyright AwjtraHan and N.Z. Cable AMOciation. I.UMXI.N, JUaj iS. It was late in me evening when Al. Poincare read the text of che fsooe, owing to its being handed m in Uei* man, and having to be translated. 11c will announce ins view to the Council oi Ministers to-morrow, but there is po doubt about an unfavourable French Government attitude. The Note is Regarded in London as inadequate, and especially unlortunate in its Ruhr reference, but there are indications of an impression that it will lead to an exchange of views. Jhe fact that it is addressed to the Powers, and not only to France, is being stressed. The “Morning Post” says: “i he framers have served up * mess ot stale, rejected ingredients. It is an unwholesome dish, which persons less fastidious than M. Poincare would instantly reject. The sum offered is quite inadequate, and the guarantee for its payment is exceedingly vague. The only guarantees worth having are those which General Degouette has seized in the Ruhr. Yet, the starting point of the negotiations, according to the Note, must he the restoration of the status quo within the shortest possible period. The “ Morning Post ” concludes with a plea that France and Britain should seek an agreement regarding the sum which Germany can reasonably pay. “If the two Allies were to come together, ’ it says, “ then Germany, welcoming such an excuse, might save her prestige and integrity bv an instant surrender. The “Daily Telegraph” asks: “ What- is to be said of a document which announces almost at the beginning that passive resistance in the Ruhr will be continued until the latelyinvaded areas are evacuated. By this fatal phrase alone the prospect of the Note leading to a renewal of negotiations has been destroyed. The Note, which, ns a whole, is weak and unpractical. is ruined by the adoption of a stiff-necked attitude on the main point in which French amour propre is concerned. We discern no hope whatever of a renewal of negotiations on the basis laid down.” The “Daily Express” says tbo Note ooens the prospect of a difference from the stalemate position of the past few weeks, and expresses the opinion that it is bv no means certain that this is Germany's last word in the matter. The “ Dailv Chronic]*” remarks: “The. howls of denunciation with which the Paris' Press has tried to drown the offer even before the text was known, show that hatred and revenge remain stronger motives in France than any sincere desire for payment. At the same time, the paper thinks £1.300,000.000 too small an amount. LITTLE GERMAN COMMENT. BERLIN, May 3. There is practically no comment in Berlin on the Note, the newspapers having apparently decided to postpone an expression of opinion until the news of its reception in Paris and London arrives. The “ Vorwaerts” however, is glad that a way has been opened to negotiations. The “ Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.” the chief organ of the Stinnes group, says the offer is oven beyond Germany’s power to pay. and is certainlv the highest ever made by a vanquished Power.

Herr Cuno. in an address, said the Note was a step towards negotiations.