FRENCH DEBT OFFER NEARER U.S. DEMANDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17830, 26 April 1926, Page 3

FRENCH DEBT OFFER NEARER U.S. DEMANDS.

JjJy Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copy right. A us. and K.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, April 23. There are definite indications that the new French debt offer goes further towards meeting America’s demands than did the unsuccessful Caillaux mission of last summer. The sixtyeight year settlement • programme advanced by M. Caillaux at that time will, it is understood, be reduced to sixty-two years as the basis of agreement for other debtor nations. It is understood France does not insist upon a guarantee clause relieving her of payment in the event of Germany failing

to meet her reparation payments to Prance. It. is understood, also, that France is ready to pa 3' 25.000.000 dollars annually, including this year, and to guarantee payments to 100.000,000 dollars annually so as to meet the full debt. FRANCE MAY PAY DEBTS TO BRITAIN FOR BUDGET. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 24. The most important announcement so far regarding international affairs came from Paris last night. Messages said that the French and British Governments had entered into negotiations with the view to concluding arrangements of a provisional and limited character by which certain payments by France can be included in Mr Churchill's Budget. It. is added that this arrangement will in no wav interfere with the proposed visit to London. Strange to say. no inkling of this accommodation leaked out on this side. If it be true it would account for Mr Churchill's serenity in the face of Budget speculations. If even small French payments began immediatelv they would obviously have a most important bearing on Ihc Budget.