FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15319, 21 August 1923, Page 5

FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

M. POINCARE HOPEFUL;

CHOOSE THE PEACEFUL PATH

WICKED TO WEAKEN UNION

Australian and N_Z. Cable Assn.

PARIS, August 19,

The French Prime Minister, M. Poincare, speaking at Charlcvillo, indicated that negotiations would probably lead to a better understanding between Britain and France. Ho said lhat the union effected during a cataclysm could not possibly become useless.

"As far as we are concerned," he proceeded, "wo would consider -as criminal any act or speech which would tend to trouble or weaken that union. We shall continue to use all our efforts to bring our policy nearer that of the Allies."

M. Poincare said he thought that Britain was wrong in attributing her unemployment to the occupation of, the Ruhr. There 'was more unemployment in Britain prior to the occupation than to-day, and the latest commercial statistics showed that during the seven months France 'had been in the Ruhr Britain's exports and imports had surpassed in value and volume those of the corresponding period of 1922. He did not mean to say that Britain was benefiting by the occupation, but he had the right to say that the occupation had not increased British unemployment. Nor did he think it was a happy argument to contest the legality of the step France had taken. It would be easy to reply by referring to the text of the treaty or to former declarations of the Allies, including Britain, but rather than indulge in controversy of that sort it would be better to seek some practical solution of the problems from which they could not escape. Dr. Strescmann, in the Reichstag, had reproached France with imitating Napoleon and irritating Germany by Imperialistic provocation, but was it from defiance that defiance came? Who was it lhat refused, surrender? Those who were responsible for the war. "Do not touch the Treaty of Versailles," declared M. Poincare, in conclusion, "but choose only the peaceful path, and make others respect engagements they 'have undertaken."

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S PLEA.

CAUTION AND FORESIGHT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON, August 19. Mr Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, said it might be true that the Allies.in the .past asked more than Germany could pay, but it was certain that Germany never made an effort to fulfil her obligations to the Allies; therefore, the Allies were bound to impose stringent conditions.

"I hold the Ruhr occupation," he said, "to be a big mistake. In my opinion, the remedy is to seek measures so lhat Germany will make larger payments as her capacity to do so grows. I plead with the Government to exercise caution and foresight. The Entente is hanging by a thread, and any clumsy 'handling may snap the last thread and undo the work of the past 10 or 15 years. The situation is fraught with peril for ourselves and our allies, for Europe and the world.