THE REPARATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 176, 21 April 1921, Page 5

THE REPARATIONS

COMMISSION’S DEMANDS ON GERMANY DRASTIC STEPS IN CASE OF NON-COMPLIANCE HUGE SUM DUE By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, April 19. The Reparations Commission has informed Germany that unless she notifies her compliance with the Commission’s demands before April 22 more drastic steps will be taken to enforce the righto over German, products.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. April 20, 5.5 ip.m.) London, April 19. The Reparations ’ Commission, from whose decision there is no appeal, definitely estimates that Germany has only made surrenders equivalent to 8000 million. marks, and she is now faced with the seemingly impossible task of finding 12,000 million marks in a few days. Germany has failed to induce Belgium and Switzerland to mediate with the Allies. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable AssnREMOVAL OF GOLD RESERVE. Paris, April 19. The "Petit Parisian's” correspondent at Berlin says it is believed that the Reichsbank is no longer storing gold in Berlin, but in safe places in neighbouring neutral countries. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [A message from Berlin, under date April IS, stated that the Reparations Commission had demanded that tho gold reserve of the Reichsbank and other noteissuing banks be deposited in the occupied area before May 1, as a guarantee that the German deliveries duo on that date would be made.] BRITISH AND FRENCH PREMIERS TO MEET AMERICA WILL SUPPORT STRONG MEASURES. Paris, April 19. M. Briand will spend a week-end with' Mr. Lloyd George at Hythe prior to the inter-Allied Conference which is' to be held before the fateful May 1. The Swiss President has refused Gemany’s request to mediate with the Allies on her behalf. Tho Vatican denies having transmitted the new German proposals to the United States. The “Matin’s” special correspondent with M. Viviani states that, owing to ths latter’s visit to 'Washington, M. Briand is assured that if France takes the recalcitrant reparations debtor* by tho throat and goes through his pockets forcibly M. Briand will havo American support.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. attitudeofYrance PRIME FACTOR FOR HYTHE CONFERENCE. London, April 19. Although a full meeting of the Supreme Council will be rendered imperative early in May through Germany’s default in the payment of reparations, certain factors make it urgently necessary that M. Briand and Mr. Lloyd George should confer beforehand. It is likely that Belgian and Italian representatives will attend a mceiing at Hythe if time permits. The prime factor for tho conference is the attitude of France. Men like Poincare and that efforts to got from Germany •'’substantial proposals have failed, are _ insistent on carrying out the Versailles Treaty to the letter, and object to further parleying over terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH MILITARYAUTHORITIES CONFER MEASURES TO BRING GERMANY TO HEEL. (Rec. April 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 19. The French military authorities, under Marshal Foch, have been engaged in a secret conference for the last day or two on the military measures necessary to enforce Garman compliance with the Treaty. There is no, evidence that British military authorities share any knowledge of what has been, done at this conference, indicating France s determination to act alone if need be. M. Briand is expected to lay Francos plans before Mr. Lloyd George at Hythe to secure his acquiescence and some measure of active assistance in bringing Germany to heel. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROPOSAL TO TAKE OVER ALLIES’ DEBTS GERMAN MANOEUVRE PLAYING FOR TIME. London, April 19. Germany’s suggestion to take over the Allies’ indebtedness to America is not received with auy appreciable favour m Britain or France. These various manoeuvres are taken to mean that Germany is still playing for time. ■ Iho Reputations Commission has now definitely informed the German. Uiat has come to the conclusion that the German Government has made up mind not to accede to the Reparations Commission’s demand for the J ment of Article 235 of the Treaty , and further that in view of this uncomproI , Emniro luo and resource® of.the AsBn . German States.—Aus.-JN .o.

FRESH GERMAN PROPOSALS . ffiec. April 20, 5.5 p m.) Berlin, April 19. Germany ie formulating a fresh offer to G the Allies, by which she , 1 nut certain restoration work throuji out certain contractors, the : Germany also projafces to pay each j (for fen years three milliards «f (.oH I marks, plus an annul ■y qqua Allies’ i cent, of German exports to the Allies : countries. Germany also suggests an international loan of ten ‘ marks, on which slie will pay 5 pel ten n guaranteed by the revenues ot German railways.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CUSTOMS DUTIES SANCTION BOOMERANG-LIKE CHARACTER INDICATED. (Rec. April 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 19. Although the sanction imposing Customs duties has not been long enough in operation to enable definite opinions as to its practicability, there is already an indication both in Britain and France of its boomerang-like character, that even if Germany exports to Allied countlies the tax will lie handed on to tho consumer, who will thus help to pay Gcimany’s indemnity.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE NEW OCCUPATION AREA Paris, April 19. The “Echo de Faris” says tho new occupation area is 47 by, 16 miles, carrying a population of 4,000,000. The military problem is simple, and seven divisions, it is believed, will be adequate, but the economic measures are entailing complexities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.