THE PARIS ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2745, 13 April 1916, Page 5

THE PARIS ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

MR HUGHES'S VISIT SCOPE OF CONFERENCE DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE . OF LORDS By TelegrapE—Press Association—Copyright London, April 11. A letter in the "Daily Telegraph," signed by the Duchesses of Somerset and St. Albans and many society ladies, supporting Mr. Hughes's visit to Paris, says he is perhaps the only man of front rank expressing the nation's sentiment upon the sinister, treacherous, aud Machiavellian economic conspiracy by which Germany sought to destroy tiie communities under the British flag. ■ CONFERENCE DISCUSSED IN THE LORDS j London, April 11. In the House of Lords, Lord Courteney of Penwith asked what instructions had been given to the British representatives to the Paris Conference, fie said that nothing could more stimulate any Germans whose support of the war was wavering than the suggestion that the war on the battlefields would be followed by a war in the markets, _ involving the undermining and destruction of the German power of recovery in industry and commerce. Instead of helping, the re-establishment of the European peace partnership,. on the basis of the recognition of equal riehts, the conference was an attempt to pursue, in another field, after the war, a similar antagonism to the German people and tneir trade, commerce and prosperity. Viscount Bryce said it.was desirable that the greatest possible caution and prudence should be exercised by the Government. He did not misunderstand the desire for permanent hostility towards Germany. The' Allies had received the strongest provocation, but it would be unwise to allow passion to dethrone reason. "Is not all this discussion of afterwar trade relations too previous?" he asked. "We are trying, Before the war is over, to settle questions which can only arise at the end of the war. It is impossible to foresee the commercial conditions then prevailing. , If we attempted to formulate cynditions now, we would have-no certainty that they would be workable conditions." Viscount Bryce urged that Britain should not bo committed to anything in a secret conference, without the full knowledge, awl the fullest discussion, of every proposition. . SCOPE OF TFIE DISCUSSION. (Rec. April ]2, 0.10 p.m.) London, April 12. Speaking in the House of Lords, Viscount Jiryce hoped that the Government would do nothing in any way to affect the absolute freedom of the people of Britain to determine their own fiscal policy. l'ho Marquis of Crewe said that at the end of 1915 he had informed the House that in conversations between the British and French Governments France had suggested that it would bo advantageous to asrive at a common ground of discussion on economic questions by a'conference of the Allies, without.sacrificing the freedom of the' respective' countries. "This confer-' once," he said, "will discuss current matters arising during the progress of the war, including the question of a joint agreement upon the prohibition of enemy trading. It is also suggested that_ the conference, might discuss the prohibition of exports from Britain with a view ' to inflicting the least mutual inconvenience upon the Allies. The conference would also discuss questions arising after the war, including the, reconstitutioii of the Allies' trade, and the securing of their economic independence. •

Lord Crewe added that he feared that > the poison had permeated -too deeply into the German character for the Allies' to look forward to an epoch when they could take down their shutters and recommence business on the .old lines as though the war had been only a riot

Mr. Hughes would' go to the conference as one of the Imperial representatives. They would go without instructions, except that they would k'eoj> their eyes and minds open and assist in the exploring, of the subjects brought before the conference. They would not , commit the Government to any definito action. He entirely agreed that it would be unwise for Britain to frame a future commercial policy upon a frantic system of revenge, ' careless whether that inflicted vast injury to ourselves and the Empire, but it was possible that cases might arise where it would be necessary to • sacrifice somo commercial advantage in order to avoid the greater dangers.