ANGLO-FRENCH RIFT.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15309, 9 August 1923, Page 5

ANGLO-FRENCH RIFT.

NO NEARER ACCORD. THE PARTING OF THE WAYS. BELGIAN INTERVENTION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, August 7. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that Lord Robert Cecil's interview with the French President,, M. Millerand, produced no development toward an Anglo-French 'rapprochement. Consequently there 'is a, strong feeling in the highest circles that the limit of British concessions to the French standpoint has been reae-hed. This is reinforced by the sound conviction that the way to obtain agreement is not to profess to desire it at any price. The sincerity of our efforts on behalf of European pacification and reconstruction," states the corespondent, "have already been made patent to the vvorid. If Europe will co-operate actively in the task, well and good, let it say so, inside or outside the League of Nations. But it would be futile for Britain to pursue an inter-AWied agreement only attainable , a t Britain's expense.

"This argument is rapidly gaining ground among Ministers. True, it approximates to Britain's traditional policy of 'splendid isolation.' In reality there never was any isolation, merely detachment from Continental and other foreign entanglements not affecting directly British or Imperial interests. British trade then did not depend on political foreign relations. There is no reason why lit should so depend now that the chief European markets are ruined and likely to remain so for a score of years. New openings must be sought in the Dominions, South* America, and China. "Our political detachment from Europe would be tempered by our membership of the League of Nations on which the Empire's moral weight is likely to be all the greater from out freedom from foreign commitments an* "consequent impartiality and disinterestedness. At the same time Britain need not renounce her claims against both Germany and the Allies unless there is made a separate agreement With this or that Ally owing to the latter's circumstances."

BRUSSELS, August 7

The Belgian Cabinet considered the question of inter-Allied relations and the reparation problem to-day. It is understood that it decided that Belgium will intervene if France and Britain delay resuming negotiations. Belgium would first endeavour to reach an agreement with France on the minimum programme. It is suggested that Belgium and France might be satisfied with payment for material damages while Britain might abandon the debts owed to her by the Allies, being satisfied with payment by Germany of the British debt to the United States. Belgium would consult with Britain and France and possibly call an inter-Allied conference to seek a definite settlement. BERLIN, August 7.

Dr. Loebe, the Socialist President of the ißeiehstag, in a speech at Zittau, said that without direct negotiations with Frafncc there was no hope of salvation. His party, on the reassembly of the Reichstag, would suggest the reopening of negotiations with France.