INTEP-ALLIED CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1921, Page 2

INTEP-ALLIED CONFERENCE

BY TELEGRAPH —TRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FRUITS OF VICTORY. WHAT GERMANY “MUST PAY.” PARIS, Jan 28. Mr Llovd George and M. Briand (France) have reached an agreement that Germany must pay forty-two annuities, varying from a hundred millions to three hundred millions sterling each, and must also hand over 12) per cent, of all German exports to the Allies. The Allied Military experts have furnished reports on German disarmament to the Supreme Allied Council. In these it is understood that they recommend that Germany should be given until July to disband and disarm her civil troops and to immediately surrender a large quantity of war material under serious penalties. Some of tho newspapers do not think that the French and British views are so irreconciliable as they appear. “Le Petit Journal” says: “If our Allies give up the idea of -exacting all that they might obtain and adopt a scheme that will diminish France’s 1 share it will be legitimate for France to obtain from the Allies a precise assurance that they will immediately help France to restore her financial. equilibrium which has been disturbed by uncertainty regarding Germany’s payments.”

It is understood that the Allied Conferetie is now considering a scheme requiring Germany to pay Boulogne annuities, plus an annual tax of about 12 per cent, of the German exports. The impression is that finality is likely to he reached.

LLOYD GEORGE’S ATTITUDE. PARIS, .Tan 28. Mr Lloyd George, addressing a gather inn- of journalists, said that he was hopeful of getting substantial reparation before the Conference concluded. Definite proposals about Germany’s ability to pay would be formulated. England was no less interested than France, because England’s was the most heavily taxed people in the world. The trouble was .that everybody wanted gold, which Germany had not got, and they would not take German goods.' He believed that there would be no difficulty about disarmament. It was no use advancing any money to Austria. The fact was he said ,tliat Austria was now a small State, and unable to hear tlio cost of such a capital as Vienna. England had already advanced some millions to Austria, and England and France under their heavy taxation bur dens, could not supply any millions to Austria.

THE INDEMNITY. . PARIS, Jan 29. The situation at the Allied Conference has been critical. During the afternoon Mr Lloyd George threatened to leave immediately for London. Lord d’Abernon (Ambassador) intervened and secured certain amendments to the French plans, which improved the situation. The new formula is a series of annuities varying from £100,000,000 to £300,000,000 for 42 years, the amount being regulated by German trade. Britain’s share will be 22 per cent. Germany will also pay 12} per cent, on all her exports but there will be no fixed sum which Germany shall finally pay. The Supreme Council meets to-mor-row to conclude an agreement without discussion with the German delegates. English press correspondents claim the result as a triumph for Mr Lloyd George, as the proposal generally corresponded to tlio Boulogne agreement. HOW GERMANY WILL PAY. PARIS, Jan 29. The conference later adopted the Reparations’ Report (as cabled) and decided to meet German representatives at a conference, in London on February 28th. The reparations terms include 42 annuities dating from May 1912. The first two will be £100,000,000 eacli_ the next three £50,0000,000; then three of £200,000,(XX); three of £250,000,000 and 31 of £300.000,000. Britain’s total share Avill be £2,486,000,000.