THE GAUNTLET DOWN

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1921, Page 2

THE GAUNTLET DOWN

VON SIMON’S ItEPLY

j UNABLE TO MAKE FRESH i PROPOSALS. | WHAT GERMANY IS PREPARED TO DO. I ~ ! AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION’. \ (Received This Day at 5.30 a.in.) ; LONDON, March 7. Von. Simons informed the Conference /that he was unable to make fresh proI posals. Germany was prepared to pay the annuities fixed for five years, and a twelve per cent levy on exports. Pay--1 meats would only be possible if a plebiscite leaves Upper Silesia with Germany, and restrictions on Germany’s world ' commerce were abolished, j Von Simons declared the menace of sanctions was in contradiction with the ' League of Nations pact, which Germany j signed. • “I therefore announce in the name of the German Government, an appeal i to the Assembly of the League against the sanctions.”

THE GERMAN STATEMENT. DELIVERED BY VON SIMONS. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.i LONDON, March 7 Von Simons in his statement to the Conference, said on account of farreaching differences of opinion between both parties at the present moment, and the grave difficulty in the way of a perfect solution of the reparation problem, we have’ been compelled to abandon the idea of presenting a new plan, and have decided to revert to the idea ot a provisional arrangement for a definih settlement for the next five years for that period, and to give in addition a full equivalent for the twelve per cent levy on our exports. Although we do not think the latter practicable, such tremendous payments are only possible by way of a loan. We could make the proposal only on condition of Upper Silesia by virtue of a plebiscite, remaining German, and by the abolition cl restrictions on our world’s commerce. Rut!) these are essential to enable Germany to meet her payments honourably If the Allies agreed to this proposal then he and his colleagues would do their utmost to produce, as soon as possible, a comprehensive phin of reparations extending over a period ol Hilly years. If U'o Allies insisted on the present demands then lie asked for n week’s delay to enable him to personally consult the Berlin Cabinet. Hon Lloyd George remarked that there was no doubt as to the answer the Allies will he forced to give, hut he thought it desirable to give a reasoned reply. The Conference resumed at 4.30 p.m.

ALLIED ACTION.

FOCH’S ORDERS. TROOPS TO ADVANCE. (Press Association.—Extraordinary) (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.). LONDON, March 8. Marshal Foch has ordered the troops to advance in Germany; GERMAN TERMS REJECTED. PARIS .DECISIONS TO BE ENFORCED. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 7.

The “Central News” announces that the Allies have rejected the German proposals, and hav decided to enforce th Paris decisions.

HON LLOYD GEORGE. ADDRESSES GERMAN DELEGATES STATES ALLIES DECLINE PROPOSALS. (Received This Dify at 9,4.5 a.m ) LONDON, March 7. Hon Lloyd George addressing the German delegates, said ho much regretted that he had to state not only were Von Simon’s proposals unacceptable, but in spite of the interval, the German representatives had not advanced any proposals justifying the postponement of the sanctions. The Allies, in the interest ot the peace of the woild deeply deplored having to come to this decision.

THE ORDER TO ADVANCE. SENT FROM ST JAMES’ PALACE (Received This Day at 9.4,5 a.m.) LONDON, March 7 Marshal Foch has ordered the troo to advance in Germany. Later. Instructions to the French troops march, were sent from St James’ Pala shortly before seven to-night. A GERMAN PROTEST. AGAINST ALLIED INVASION. (Received This'Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 7. Germany has protested to the Leagu of Nations against the threaten® Allied invasion.

Decisive Allied Action. Follows Von Simon’s Refusal. Of the Allied Terms. ✓ Troops Ordered to Advance Marshal Foch’s Orders.

ALLIED COMMENTS. FRENCH OBJECT TO MODIFICATIONS. LONDON, March 6. Referring to Dr Simons’ offer, Mr Lloyd George said at the Allied Coui fureime; ‘This mass of figures did not i.seem essentially, a new offer, but in any case ,the Allied experts would examine them.” M. Briand, (French Premier) here interposed: “I am prepared to investigate Dr von Simons’ claim, but it is useless to try to obtain a diminution of our demands.” SECRET ALLIED MEETING. NEW ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES. LONDON, March 7. The second meeting of the Allied delegates was held on Sunday night. It lasted until nearly midnight. It is understood they further considered Germany’s fresh proposals. The closest secrecy is maintained, however, as regards their decisions, if, in fact any decisions were taken. . Vet, some of tile newspapers report as on reliable authority, that Dr von Simons announced his willingness to accept the Paris Conference proposals for the first five years, in order to give them a trial, and contended that the whole question should be finally decided after that on the basis of the Versailles Treaty and in the light of that experience. Alternatively, Dr von Simons suggests that tho economic sanction outlined in Mr Lloyd George’s speech, namely, the deduction of 50 per cent, from the proceeds of the German exports as part of Germany’s scheme of payment. FRENCH ANXIETY. LEST BRITISH GIVE WAY. LONDON, March 6. *4 Reports from Paris show that French opinion was becoming nervous as the critical day approaches, fearing some unsuspected eleventh-hour developments would cause France’s Allies to agree to a concession to the Germans rather than resort to extreme measures. < French circles interviewed President Millerand, who telegraphed to Premier Briand on Sunday that French opinion could not tolerate any concession on any underlying principle of the terms.

j COMPROMISE POSSIBLE. LONDON, March 7. If the “Daily Telegraph’s” forecast which cornesc from a French correspondent, is confirmed, it does not mean an abatement of the Paris Allied demands-, as it also stipulated that the Reparation Commission shall, eventually calculate the amount which Germany should have paid under the Paris agreement, and the actual payment under the new proposals, Germany having to pay the difference. This reported solution should bo read in the light of Saturday’s Conference between Dr von Simons and-the Allied Supreme Council, at which Dr Simons claimed that a slight increase in the annuities asked from Germany would in 30 years give everything which the Allies demanded.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. - ANSWERS DECLINED AT PRESENT (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 5. Several questions were asked in the Commons regarding Germany’s obligations. Mr Bottomley asked whether Government would reconsider the decision of waiving the right to seize German .g property in England, whether the Government could destroy German military aerodromes and seaplane stations. Doctor McDonald suggested a combined force should march on Berlin. Lord Curzon proposed the blockade of the German coast, in the event of a e refusal to carry out the Allied terms. [._ Hon Shortt, replying, said that answers could not be given until the Con--5 ference arrived at a decision. n ’ v SMYRNA AND THRACE. t 0 GREEK DISSATISFACTION. fc—<i-J LONDON, March 5. The Greek and Turkish delegates attended a conference at St James Palace. M. Calogeropoulos announced that the Greek National Assembly bad considered . the Allied proposal regarding the Commission of Enquiry into Smyrna and Thrace and unanimously pro- ; nouneed against it. The despatch of the Commission would be equivalent to Greece’s surrender of rights definitely established by endless sacrifices of the Greek nation which the Treaty of Sev-li-es consecrated. The proposal amounts to asking Greece to bind herself beforehand. [ The Turks later admitted that they agreed to an enquiry by the Grand National Assembly. They are also ready to accept other provisions of tin? , Treaty of Sevres, provided they are acI cepted to conditions indispensible to the existence of a free and independent Turkey.