INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1921, Page 2

INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AMERICAN CRITICISM. t NEJY I'OllK, Feb 1. The “New York World’s” Washington correspondent states: While there is general approval in Congression d citeles of the Allied action in fixing a definite sum for the German reparation expressed over the levy of 12-i pn cent, export tax. American politicians believe (his clause means that the United Stat s will have to contribute largely to Getmany’s payments, as the fitter is cer- i tain to add a tax to the price of her j goods shipped to America. THE PARIS DECISION.

OPINION IN GERMANY. j

BERLIN, Feb 2. | Herr Simons inaugurated a debate on the Paris decision. In a long explanatory speech to a crowded house, j many Entente diplomats being presens , his declaration of his policy amounted to asserting that it was impossiole to . accept the decision as a basis of further neg( tiations and the Government was preparing counter proposals. The del:Jo was adjourned. i

'lhe “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent states that the People’s Party which includes representatives of great industrial magnates under Herr Stinde’s leadership, demanded Herr j Simon’s resignation because his conciliatory policy encouraged the En- j tento demands, hut the Centre Party • sent an ultimatum that if Herr Simons j went they would withdraw and wash

tho' r hands of all responsibility. Other groups cast the blame on the Centre Party, saying that if they had not recently put forward foolish counter claims the Paris decisions would have been loss severe. They should have been contented with seeking a basis of negotiations. The Centre Party then withdrew the demand for Herr Simon’s resignation, but the Nationalists Parties ns a whole demanded that Herr Simons should clearly indicate tjiat Paris decisions were not acceptable. Thus the way will lie paved for a united front, possibly excluding the Communists and independent Socialists. This attitude is encouraged by alleged hints in Allied diplomatic quarters. The Alles did not propose to dictate the Paris scheme at the London Conference., but would be prepared to listen to counter proposals. The Government’s policy is x to ignore the Paris decision, declaring that they concern tlyi Allies alone, hut would be prepared to listen to counter invitation if they were allowed to meet the Allies on an equal footing. The “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent states that tlie People’s Party tends to strengthen the Ministry on a basis by inclusion of as many elements

as possible in order to prevent a solid national front. It is undoubted that all exce.pt the Extreme Left are al--1 ready united though many industrialists • oppose the truculence of Herr Stinnes and other super industrialists, and desire a finality for the sake of industry and Germany’s future. THE CONFERENCE DECISION. AMERICAN OPINION. ’ WASHINGTON, Feb. 2. President Wilson has received a cabLe from Mr Drummond stating that the Wilson Armenia—Russia Note will be submitted to the next meeting of the League Council and that it has already been brought under the notice of the Premiers at a meeting at Paris. The text of the British Mandate over Mesopotamia seems to confirm the views of the Administration that it excludes Americans from participating in the oil development in this region. Officials also seo a disposition on the part of the Great Powers to keep Governments who are not members of the

League from deriving benefits from former German territories. Administration circles consider that the fact that the United States are not satisfied with the Treaty is most unfortunate, since the Allies had not consulted America in the fixation of German reparations. If the Treaty is ratified the United States would have been able to veto any plan not meeting with the Americans’ approval. Administration circles disapprove of the Reparatons sum as too large, although Congressional circles generally approve of the conditions imposed. It is believed that the operation of economic laws will force the revison of a settlement sooner or later. Officials feel that the United States cannot continue to comply with international isolation unless she reverts to the status of a second rate power.

SATISFACTION IN FRANCE. LONDON, Feb 1. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent says that there is a general feeling of satisfaction in France due to tlie drastic character of the actions which the Allies decided to enforce in the case of German default, M. Briand may therefore bo assured that his policy will he approved by PnrJ liament. Marshal Foch and M. Briand, Vartliou and Loucheur on Saturday favour od the immediate communication of the Allied decisions to Berlin, but Mr Lloyd George did not share this view. A doubt is now expressed in France whether the London Conference on Feb 28th will simply acquaint the German delegates on the Allied resolutions without giving the London Conference power to amend the resolutions after discussion with the Germans. M. Bergmann has gone to Berlin, but returns to Paris in ten days. PARIS DECISIONS. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) PARIS, Jan 2. It is authoritatively stated there is not the slightest intention to depart from the decisions of the Paul’s Conference, or of entering a discussion with Germans on any other basis than the demands now made.