The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1924. THE LONDON CONFERENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 July 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1924. THE LONDON CONFERENCE.

Delivered «7csry evening t>y 8 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatfki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeuo Manutabi, Alton, Burleyville, Paiea, Waverley, Mokoia, Wtakamara, Ohanga,. Meremere. Fraser Bead. and

The blight hopes of the early sittings of the Allied Conference in London ha.ve been marred somewhat by the failure of the committee on the control of the German, railways to agree, and by the indisposition of American bankers to. subscribe to the proposed £40,000,000 loan which is regarded as necessary in order to stabilise Germany’s currency and bring about a better economic position. The American attitude is regarded as seriously jeopardising the prospects of the conference, and it seems as if the world is once more to witness the failure of a great effort because of the unwillingness of the United States) to take the part upon which so much depends. Ever since the Treaty cf Versailles was signed America has refused to take her place alongside of the Allies in putting into operation proposals which are calculated to improve conditions in. Europe. The United States is the only creditor nation in the world. America’s holdings of gold are far in excess of her national requirements, and in the years to come she will receive further large sums in repayments of loams by her debtors. America could supply the £40,000,000 in gold easily, but she is not willing to do so, and .unless the Allies find some other way of providing the money the desire to place Germany on a new b|sis will be frustrated. The French attitude over the Ruhr railways is not surprising, for the nation is very suspicious of her eastern neighbour, and France desires to have a stronger hpld than the proposals will give her. To these two questions great importance is attached, and it looks as if the happy reports of the rapid progress of the conference were rather premature. To bring the Allies into unanimity is the first essential, and after that the task of securing Germany’s acceptance of the proposals adopted has to be faced. The problem appears to be as complex as ever, and though one tries to take optimistic views of the outlook on the strength of the hopeful statements made when the conference first met, it seems as if the efforts to bring about the complete unity of the Allies are doomed to failure. It is over five and a. half years since the. din of battle, ceased, and the impressive silence fell upon the long lines from tne North Sea to the Swiss frontier. The conflict wa-s over, and in the hearts of millions of people was the belief that the nations would conclude a permanent peace and enter into agreements which would lead to a

rapid restoration of the shattered world. But to-day we find that the hopes of the world on Armistice Day have not been realised, and the numerous attempts to find satisfactory solutions of the problems left by the war have failed. Germany showed signs of evading her responsibilities; France- adopted methods for coercing her; Britain has made many suggestions and called several conferences; the United States has been mainly a spectator, unwilling to assist ; Italy has shown little concern in matters between the Allies and Germany, but has been a consistent- supporter of Britain. Since the Armistice Britain lias made much progress in restoring her trade, but the deplorable condition of Europe has proved a very great obstacle and has led to- extensive unemployment. The European countries have made no appreciable progress, and in many cases have fallen into much worse conditions than during the war period. The Continent is practically bankrupt, and seems to be unable to recover without outside assistance. The conference in London, which has Before it the Dawes Report containing the most expert proposals yet devised for Europe’s recovery, is (English papers rsay) regarded by observers in the Old Country as the last attempt that will be made by the Allies as a whole to bring about a settlement with Germany, and if it fails the consequences may be very eerious. Some change in Europe must take place before long, for it is impossible for the nations to continue indefinitely in their present state. If the Allies agree upon the Dawes Report they will be able to- shape the settlements between the various nations and Germany; if they fail to agree independent agreements may be entered into, but it is difficult- to see what will be their nature. Britain would probably reach an understanding with Germany, but she does not want France to suffer. But if France will not accept proposals which Britain, Italy and Belgium consider fair and reasonable, then she will finally find that she has to play a lone hand. What would be the outcome no one can foresee. So it is hoped that the London Conference will take a. turn for the better and lead to a. definite and practical agreement, but the messages published this week have not been encouraging, and to-day it is reported that the conference is marking time.