FRENCH NOTE TO AMERICA

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17189, 5 November 1923, Page 8

FRENCH NOTE TO AMERICA

I>y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 5, 12.55 p.m.) AVASHINGTOX, November 4. A lengthy Not© from M. Poincare has arrived at the French Embassy m reply to Mr Hughes’s objection to the restrictions on the scope of the expert committee's, work. It is understood that the Note rejects provisions that the Allied debts to the United States must not he discussed. r J he French hold that reparations and debts cannot be separated. France is also said to bar discussion on the evacuation of the Ruhr. 'Plie Note is generally conciliatory, but insists upon the delimitation of the scop© of the Economic Conference. 'lhe State Department, immediately upon the delivery of the message, will take up the question whether the French attitude makes the Conference impossible. Considerable uncertainty exists in official circles concerning the outcome of the discussion, the American Government being equally reluctant to engage in a purposeless conference, or hastily to reject French conditions, since it- earnestly wishes to give as fully as possible aid in the rehabilitation of Europe.