BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16174, 27 December 1924, Page 5

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

QUESTION OF SECURITY. MACDONALD AND HERRIOT. ACCOUNT OF CONVERSATIONS. (Austrrlian and N.Z. Cable PARIS, December 25. The "Eclair"publishes a long document, claimed to be a French official account of conversations between Mr Ramsay MacDonald and M. Herriot at Chequers in the autumn, from which it appears that Mr MacDonald pointed out that it would bo very difficult for him to obtain the Dominions' consent to an agreement safeguarding France, and that 1 British naval and military experts were opposed to a treaty of mutual guarantees. M. Herriot, in reply, said from General Nollet's information it appeared that Germany was preparing an army of a new type. General Nollet was of opinion that with the hundred thousand men allowed her under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany could do again what Prussia did against Napoleon. France had this dagger pointed at its heart. M. Herriot said he would not be doing his duty unless he rendered Germany harmless. He would prefer that France should not be paid reparations rather than be compelled to give up security. If there was another war France would be wiped off the map. Mr MacDonald replied sympathetically, but maintained his own viewpoint. The "Quai D'Orsay" admits that the account of the "Chequers conversations is authentic. The French Government proposes to inquire how the "Eclair" obtained it.