PEACE TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 2

PEACE TREATY

(By Electric Telegraph —Co iv.igh 1

DESIRE FOR GERMAN OFFEjfi LONDON, May 22.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law said the recent Hythe Conference of Premiers discussed the agenda for the Spa Conference with Germany. The first paramount item thereof was disarmament; but 'he Allies were unwilling that any delay involved by the Spa Conference should prevent action meanwhile and arrangements for pressing forward disarmament were proceeding. Referring to the amount of reparation, he pointed out the Treaty - f Versailles allowed for Germany to propose a total sum, instead of keeping to the arrangements laid down in the Treaty. The Allies hoped that such a proposal would be made fit Spa. it was the general feeling at the Hythe Conference that, if possible, a. fixed amount should be paid. He was uot. in a position to give the figure provisionally suggested. The British Government always recognised that special hardship had in the war been endured by France, but was yet unwilling to say that the initial indemnity payments should go to France, Britain’s share coming later. That vas utterly unfair, not only to their own people but to the Dominions. They had borne such a heavy charge. The special claims of France had been recognised by laying down a definite proportion, . namely, that for every £5 Britain received at first, France should receive £ll.

POINCAIRE’S' RESIGNATION. S . LONDON, May 22

Tlie “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent states that German newspapers comment on M. Poincaire’s resignation from the Reparation Commission with satisfaction. They declare that the Hythe Commission decisions signify the collapse of Poincaire’s resignation from the Reparation Commission with satisfaction. They declare that the Hythe Commission decisions signify tlie collapse of Poincaire’s policy of making Germany nay the whole cost of the war.

TREAT A’ OF VERSAILLES. . PARIS, Alay 21

An Tnter-Parliamentary group, ’opresenting the devastated areas, unanimously nassnd a resolution, which will be forwarded to M. Millerand and Mr Lloyd George, pointing out that the agreement regarding the German indemnity is really a reduction of the Gennan debt.

M. Poincaire took part in the discussion, which resulted in the group demanding a. full executive of the Treaty of Versailles, which they declared c.i.'y Parliament can alter.

GERArAN AVAR AfATERIAL. (Reoeived This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, May 21..

General Nollet, head of the inter-Al-lied Commission at Berlin in an inter-

view, said Germany was still in possession of an incredible quantity of war material. We have already destroyed thousands of guns which represent only one fifth of tlie total, exclusive of those which are being discovered daily. AVe have established over one hundred centres of destruction, which are vorkitig continuously.