WILL NATIONS CONFER?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17182, 27 October 1923, Page 9

WILL NATIONS CONFER?

EXCHANGE OF CABLES. NEW PLANS BREWING.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Reuter's Telegrams. (Received October 27, I.4£f p.m.) LONDON, October 26. A flood of light has been thrown on General Smuts’s reference to negotiations being afoot to bold a conference of tho Powers regarding reparations by the publication of important telegrams which passed a few* days ago between Lord Curzon and ZSIr C - E. Hughes. The British Foreign Secretary asks if the United States still adheres to Mr Hughes’s declaration of last December, when he suggested that an tional conference should be held to assess Germany's capacity to pay, and to consider ail appropriate financial plan to ensure such payments in cashMr Hughes replies in the affirmative and emphasises that the United States does not desire to see Germany relieved of the responsibilities of the war, or her just obligations. He expresses the opinion that the Conference should be advisory, as governments are naturally unwilling to bind themselves in advance. The United States reserves its decision as regards participation in the proposed inquiry unless the European Powers are unanimous regarding the holding of the Conference. Curzon, in a preliminary message, refers to the ineffectual proposals made fco the Allies by the British Government for a solution of tlni reparations question. He believes that if no common action is taken, not merely Germany hut tho whole of Europe will drift to economic disaster. He, therefore, appeals for co-operation by the United States Government, which the British Government believes i 3 an essential condition of any real advance towards a settlement. Lord Curzon points out tliat the United States is vitally concerned in the solution of the European problems, if only because it involves a question of inter-Allied debts. He says that Britain always heartily approved Mr Hughes’s declaration last December, but France disapproved. Lord Curzon welcomes tlie statement by President Cool id go that the American Government would adhere to its declaration of December. He asks, in event of an inquiry being held, whether Britain and the majority of the Allies could still hope for Anlerican cooperation, even though complete unanimity was not forthcoming at this end ; alternatively, if America will co-oper-ate assuming the proposed enquiry is entrusted to the Reparations CommisLord Curzon concludes with the statement that the Government is speaking in the name of the whole British Empire, as represented by the Imperial Conference, .and expresses a deire to receive any American suggestion. Mr Hughes, in reply, insists that there should be no grounds for the impression that if the London Conference is called, it will aim at relieving Germany of her obligations or that resistance to the fulfilment of her obligations will be* in anywise supported. Ho refutes Lord Curzon s that the United States is interested because of her interest in the inter-Allied debts, as lie contends that rho practicability of the methods to secure reparations and the Allied payment of debts to tho United States constitute distinct obligations. * £ The United States,” Mr Hughes, adds, “ cannot appoint a member of the Reparations Commission without the consent of Congress but no doubt a competent American would be willing to participate in tho economic enquiry.” The reply reiterates he United States’s desires to lend assistance towards re-establishing peace and the restoration of economic stability.