TUE REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1921, Page 2

TUE REPARATIONS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DISTRUST OF GERMANS. PARIS, May 11. The news that Germany has accepted the ultimatum of the Allies was received in Franee coolly. Little faitli *is placed by France in Germany’s promise. There are no special possibilities about Wirth’s new Cabinet, and a general distrust of Germany’s intention exists. Germany has given her signature so many times that French opinion is now thoroughly sceptical. *

MAKING GERMANS DISARM. PARIS, May 11. With characteristic promptitude, Premier Briand, Marshal Foch, General Weygand and other French Ministers held a conference with President Millerand as soon as Germany’s decision was known. This was to consider what steps should be taken to see that Germany carries out the disarmament which the Allies notified to her on the 29th of January last. The French troops have been concentrated in the occupied districts, and are ready to enter the Ruhr coal area, and they will remain there until Germany has paid the amounts mentioned in tlie ultimatum. ALLIED COMMISSIONER RESIGNS. LONDON, May 11 Mr Bradbury has resigned from the Reparations Commission. It is reported that he disapproved of recent decisions.

FRENCH PRESS DEMANDS. PARIS, May 11 The newspapers urge the Allies to maintain their penalty measures pending some profits being given of German sincerity. The “Echo de Paris” discloses that a resolution has been entered in the books of the Allied Supreme Council, providing that if at any time in future Germany defaults, the occupation of tie Ruhr district will be carried out by the Allies. AMERICAN HOPES. . \ WASHINGTON, May 12. The United States Government circles says the German acceptance of the ultimatum clarifies the European situation, and the economic effect will be felt immediately, as the most threatening feature in world relationships is removed. It is expected negotiations for funding the Allied debts will be undertaken immediately, and that economic conditions will gradually improve now until normality is reached.

GERMAN CRISIS CONTINUES. . LONDON, May 12 ' The “Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent states The foreign crisis can only be solved by the provision of a stable government in Germany. The problem, therefore, is still unsolved, as Wirth’s Cabinet is merely a stop-gap concern, hastily assembled, at the very last moment, in order to stave off a catastrophe. Its immediate and sole function is to give effect to the Reichstag’s decision in accepting the ultimatum. The Ministry must extend its foundations beiore it becomes competent for normal purposes. The inclusion of either the representatives of the absurdly named Peoples Party (who stand for every trick and subterfuge to frustrate the disarmament provisions), or tlie Independent, Socialists (who fear, above all reactionaries who are camouflaged as other organisations), is simply an attempt to keep the old spirit alive.