REPARATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17119, 14 April 1921, Page 7

REPARATION.

STATEMENT BY FRENCH I PREMIER. GERMANY DISCUSSES PEESH PROPOSALS. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) ("The Timet.") (Received April 13th, 7.30 p.m.) PARIS, April 13. In the Chamber of Deputies, the Premier, M. Briand, referring to reparations, said the bailiffs had been sent to Germaiy, and if the debtor was still recalcitrant, then gendarmes must be sent to keep the bailiffs company. BERLIN. April 13. The decision of France to call Germany to account is reflected in the keen anxiety of the Reichstag to find a way out of the reparations impasse. It is felt that the country should not be allowed to drift into dangers ahead without exploring the chances of escape. Herr von Simons, Minister of Foreign Affairs, hurriedly returned to Berlin, and conferred with President Ebert, after which Cabinet discussed fresh proposals. It is unlikely that these will De of a nature acceptable to tho Allies, and the possibility of further action to enforce payment must be faced. (Australian and N.Z. Cuble Association.) (Received April 13th, 11.25 p.m.) PARIS, April 12. M. Briand, in a strikingly determined speech, said the time had passed tor further discussion of Germany's delinquencies and her capacity to pay. The London penalties had not given the results expected. "We have tflierefore evolved a procedure by which Germany will be pinned down to tho Treaty of Versailles. Let us hear no more talk on .the subject in this Chamber. The bill matures on May Ist, and with our Allies we shall be present at tho appointed place to enforce its execution."' The Govcrnm. Nt bowed before' the Reparation Commission's independence, but the Commission's judgment must be allowed to act, its judgment must be carried out. The Reparations Commission had heard the Germans for the last time,- and would now proceed to 'fix the amount of the damages. It had heard Germany at 27 sittings, and replied to several hundred German uiemoranda. It had also allowed the Germans to meet Allied experts. The Germans complained that the Allies had not supplied sufficient evidence to justify their claims, and had allowed insufficient time to verify them. Consequently the efforts of the German delegation to obtain an objective figure could lead to no result, and the delegation could only off .r observations and objections. The Reparations Commission had replied pointing out tho pains taken to provide the information, and it was considered that a very long period had been allowed for verification. BRITISH TRADE AFFECTED. (Received April 13th, 7.30 p.m.) BERLIN, April 13. It is reported that a fortnight's operation of the Reparations Act has disclosed serious defects prejudicially affecting British trade. The Germans have adopted a policy of passive resistance, and are refusing to ship goods unless the importers agree to pay the export tax. Where this is done, tho charge is passed on to the consumer, tho German exporter escaping scot free. (Received April 14th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 13. The Berlin correspondent of the "Morning Post" reports that a mixed leceptioh awaits Herr von Simons owing I to the disapproval of a majority of Parliamentarians of his statement to tho "Matin." The German Foreign Office is reported to be totally ignorant of any new offer. M. Bi'iand's warnings are taken as the effect of the failure of the attempt to enlist American support. It is acknowledged that the seriouß consequences of the now punitive measures which are inevitable if passive resistance is continued, ar;> becoming realised, and have awakened discontent with the Government newspapers, which formerly approved of von Simons's attitude in London. They are now condemning the waste of thy interval prior to May Ist, and suggest a reconstruction of the Cabinet. [Herr von Simons, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview in tho "Matin," stated that Germany was prepared to restore tha devastated regions, but had not the money which France wanted. France was the dominant Power directing the Allies, and she could overwhelm Germany if she wantod to do so. He believed that Germany would shortly show in an irrefutable manner her goodwill in regard to reparations.]