PREMIERS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 75, 21 December 1921, Page 5

PREMIERS CONFER

THE REPARATIONS QUESTION ECONOMIC POSITION OF EUROPE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Rec. December 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 20. M. Briand and Air. Lloyd George have opened conversations at Downing Street. It is understood they discussed generally tho economic position of Europe, including Russia, and the reparations , question. Subsequently a number of matters were - referred to experts for examination. It is believed the conference will develop into the most important since Versailles, and may possibly lead to a European pact similar to that of Washington. It is regarded as signiv ficant that Herr Rathenau arrived today at Mr. Lloyd George’s invitation, • and is staying at the same hotel as M. Briand, ready to be called in when wanted. The “Echo de Paris” asserts that the Premiers will consider the Anglo-French Alliance and the cancellation of the French debts to Britain. The “Manchester Guardian” and other newspapers of standing express the opinion that Mr. Lloyd George favours a tripartite agreement, under which Britain, France, and Germany will each be guaranteed against aggression from the others.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SECURITYOT 7 FRANCE “THE RHINE OUR TRUE FRONTIER” Paris, December 19.

The “Matin” publishes details of a recent conversation between Marshal Foch and M. Viviani, in which Marshal Foch said the Treaty of Versailles was bad, because it did not give security to France. "Our guarantee,’’ he said, “is the Rhine', our true frontier. With one division at Cologne, ono at Mayence, another at Coblentz, and three others behind. I could hold and defend the whole of the Rhine. I conveyed this opinion to each of M. Clemenceau’s Ministers.” He said further: "Yon are making a treaty by which you will be neither defended nor paid."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.