WILL FRANCE CONFER?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17183, 29 October 1923, Page 1

WILL FRANCE CONFER?

" TIMES’ ” VIEW ON “ SUBJECT. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright " Times ” Service. (Received October 29, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON. October 28. The Paris correspondent of “ The Times” says that there is evidence that France is thinking once, twice and thrice before refusing to participate in a conference to examine Germany's capacity to pay. Outlining the official view, he says: — r< The French Government simply desires to remain within the framework of the Treaty of Versailles, under which it is open to the Reparations Commission to appoint a committee of investigation. If such committee were appointed, France would welcome American representatives. The French Government, however, does not' admit that this attitude is equivalent to a rejection of Mr Baldwin’s proposal. France would be undertaking an exceedingly grave responsibility in defeating the British project, but it is felt here that it would be an equally grave responsibility for the Government to jeopardise the complete surrender of Germany- Any encouragement to Germany would only lead to further evasions'. Tt is certain that France, who is tired of the negative results of the previous plenary conferences, deprecates this method.”