FRANCE AND BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15313, 14 August 1923, Page 5

FRANCE AND BRITAIN

EFFECT OF BRITISH NOTE.

PESSIMISM IN PARIS.

NO DESIRE TO REPUDIATE DEBT’,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received August 14. 11.30 a.m.)' PARIS, August 13. A high -official at I tie Quai D’Orsay , states that diplomatic circles took a iv pessimistic -view of the British Note, which has not advanced Hie situation )' r a single step. The British questioning y of the legality of the Ruhr occupation will have a very bad effect.France was certain M. Poincare would refuse to discuss the question of debt on the basis suggested, and would not agree, under any circumstances, to have an inquiry into Germany's capacity to pay. France did not want to repudiate her debt to Britain, but the point must be emphasised that she could not pay at present nor until Bermany paid her what is due underlie Treaty.

FURTHER FRENCH COMMENTS.

BRITAIN’S MORAL WEAKNESS. -'v

ANTI-ENGLISH SENTIMENT.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn, y (Received August 14, 11.30 a.m.)’ PARIS, August 13.

The Matin says if Germany's capacity is only 14 milliards of gold marks, England will take all: if 20 milliards, England will have 14 milliards, and generously leave six milliards to be divided between the other victims of the war. The Note shows to an unexpected degree the moral weakness which is coming over the British leaders, which is only comparable with the physical weakness into which Germany has fallen. The Echo de Paris remarks the Note is a supreme appeal to France to adopt the British viewpoint, but its uselessness is well known. Having lost all hope of getting any money from the Reich, it is from us England is asking money. We are all wondering whether we arc dreaming. This is just the kind of thing Lord Curzoni should have used for Germany.’’ The Petit Parisien says: “We must wait for further conversations to be able to judge the true spirit of the British Government.”

The Journal asks: “How could the British leaders allow themselves to be drawn into testing the legality of the Ruhr occupation? We understand plainly the object of the manoeuvre is the question of preparing for one of those legal arbitrations to force France in case of a refusal to find, something saleable. France will not fall into the trap.”

The Oeuvic says that England has an unacceptable programme. It is for France to oppose another programme to theirs.

AMERICAN SENTIMENT.

BRITAIN'S COURSE APPROVED

UNQUESTIONABLY RIGHT,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received August 14, 12.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. August 13.

The New York Evening Post, commenting on the British Notes, declares above specific items in Lord Gurzon s Note stand out the surprise and protest of the British Government at the refusal of her late Allies to so much as -consider those items. France and Belgium simply wave them aside. This is not an attitude that will wiu -the , approval -of the rest of the world. Bri-j tain is unquestionably right in tak- ■ ing the opposite course. . . j The Sun and Globe comment sum- ■ larlv, -stating clearly that -there is no- j thing left for responsible British i statesmanship, if the argument fails, \ but to extricate the nation by the best means available from the inevitable economic -ruin which is sure -to come > about if the French course «..much j longer tacitly accepted.” \ The French i'rano is Quoted, at o? cents, the lowest on record. Various < French municipal bonds 'have also fallen several points as the direct re- , suit of the week-end’s political de-,i velopments. -