REPARATIONS PROBLEM.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15289, 16 July 1923, Page 5

REPARATIONS PROBLEM.

LABOUR M.P.'S VIEW. BRITISH LEAD WELCOMED. FRANCE AND BELGIUM'S CHANCE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, July 13. On the motion of Colonel John Ward, M.P., the General Federation of the Trades Unions passed a resolution that the establishment of peace and the proper natural development of industry was impossible while France sought to dismember Germany as a nation. The mover said France and Belgium have oiTc more chance which may well be the last, of reuniting the Allied front. Nothing could exceed ;lhe gravity of Mr Baldwin's language as he depicted Europe tottering on the .brink of industrial economical ruin. His words wore manifestly designed to rally behind him the new and positive moral conscience of the practical intelligence of the world. At last Britain had taken a lead which the world had been expecting of her since the last gun boomed in 1918. CUNO'S POLICY CRITICISED. REVOLUTION PREDICTED. SENSATION IN SAXONY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. .BERLIN, July 13. A sensation has been caused in political circles by Herr Zeisner's (Prime Minister of Saxony) declaration in the Dresden Parliament that Herr Cuno's Government was not making sufficient effort to solve the'Ruhr problem. It was merrily following a policy of drift, and the consequences would be disastrous. He was certain a revolution was approaching.

FEELING IN FRANCE. CONCESSIONS MAY NOT BE MADE Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. PARIS, July 13. M. Poincare's Cabinet will consider Mr Baldwin's statement to-day. It is believed that M. Poincare will reiterate his determination not to alter the Ruhr policy until Germany stops her outrages and gives serious guarantees of pavment. Marcel Hutin, in the Echo de Paris, suggests that "M. Poincare and Mr Baldwin may meet when the respective Governments have formulated their views. He says the French Government will not hesitate to make concessions if they do not affect her essential interests. She will certainly lovally investigate the British suggestions in the hope of obtaining payments. The Journal says the British statement has produced a feeling of dejection. Its condemnation of the occupation of Ruhr is not likely to diminish German resistance, especially as Mr Baldwin does not say a word of disapproval of the German murderous assaults. The Journal says that France will not enter discussions before the Reich changes its policy. The Matin says that despite the extremely friendly tone of Mr Baldwin's statement, it is not sufficient to reconcile the fundamental Anglo-French differences, but it is useless to despair. M. Poincare will certainly instruct the Ambassador to continue the interviews with Downing Street. BRUSSELS, July 13. The newspapers emphasise Mr Baldwin's efforts to avoid a rupture in the Entente.

FRENCH REPLY. UNPROMISING FORECASTS. NO REFERENCE TO LEAGUE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, July 14. It is announced in Paris that M. Poincare will speak at Senlis to-mor-row, when he will give the French attitude toward the British policy expounded by Mr Stanley Baldwin. It is believed that France will gladly .associate herself with the British Note, provided it insists on the cessation of passive resistance by Germany in the Ruhr. France will, refuse to refer the question of reparations to the League of Nations. The Daily Express declares that the conditions on which Franco is prepared to co-operate in the Note to Germany proposed by Britain are known in London. They include, firstly, that the Note shall declare against German passive resistance and sabotage; secondly, the proposed inquiry into Germany's capacity to pay shall be conducted by Allied experts exclusively; thirdly, the authority of the Reparation Commission shall be maintained. France would oppose the admission of neutral countries, but is prepared to admit the United States.