TENSION AT GENEVA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 115, 18 May 1931, Page 7

TENSION AT GENEVA

FRANCO-GERMAN BRUSH “ILLEGAL CUSTOMS UNION’’ DR CURTIUS’ ANGRY REPLY (By Te’» araph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Mar 17, 10.20 p.m. GENEVA, May 16. A short and bitter encounter between Al. Briand and Dr. Curtius, indicates marked Franco German tension. Dr. Curtius has informed the European Union Commission that Germany is determined to carry out the Austro-Ger-man Zoilverein. an 1 has invitee European co-operation. Thirteen currencies and nine vustems zones have been created since the war, involving 13,000 miles of addition tariff walls. Af. Briand denied that customs constituted the whole problem. France could not accept Dr. Curtius* sugges lion of “an illegal customs union.’ 1

Dr. Curtius, amid excitement, angrily replied that it was fur the council tu decide whether the Zoilverein was legal or illegal. The passage between Al. Briand and Dr. Curtius caused a painful snock. D*. Curtius’ avtual words inviting co-opera-tion wore; ‘ ‘ 1 am prepared to make an exchange of views of all countries, large and small, upon the possibilities of establishing a customs union. 1 beg you seriously to examine the invitation.' - Al. I’oncct fired a scries of broadsides at the Austro-Germ an scaerne, and declared that it could be effective only if it led to a political union. Customs unions were calculated to arouse uneasiness, create rival groups and promote economic warfare. He presented a project for providing for the-organi-sation of European markets for the disposal uf surplus wheat, development of » .••» ion ic nrd industrial -cartels, an agricultural bank and European loans under the aegis m the League.