THE INDEMNITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 2

THE INDEMNITIES.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

ALLIED COUNCIL TO MEET LONDON, Dec. 21. The Downing Street Conference has decided to summon the Supreme Allied Council for the first week of January, to meet at Cannes. Mr Lloyd George goes to Cannes in the middle of next week.

BRITISH AND FRENCH VIEWS. LONDON, December 21. It is understood that the French delegates in London regard Germany s declaration of her inability to pay the reparations as a- deliberate attempt to evade the claims. The French delegates favour stern measures, including control over the German finances. Britain admits that Germany will be bard pressed to meet her'January and February payments but Britain does not favour financial control over Germany on the ground that it would be certain to involve the downfall of the present German .Government, thereby increasing, instead of decreasing the chaos. Experts are trying to find eomomon ground between views. LONDON, December 22. The sudden decision to summon the Allied Supreme Council lias given rise to considerable speculation regarding the result of the meeting between M. liriand and Mr Lloyd George. It is possible that the statesmen liavo failed to agree on the most essen tjal points. Likewise, it is possible that they have achieved a far-reaching agreement. The assembling of the* Council is imperative in either case. The Australian Press Association understands that the first, a disagreement is the most probable. Whichever is

true, the British statesmen, economic, i and industrial authorities are . iprofundly impressed by the urgency of the need to bridge the gulf that is • Ung the British and French policy. Britain’s 2,000,000 unemployed, with staggering taxation and crippled industry and commerce, all demand the speediest possible remedy, which is stated to be impossible while European exchange and finance are in a chaotic state.

Some Anglo-French, agreement is stated to be essential for this purpose.

FRENCH REQUEST FOR SECURITY LONDON, December 22. As regards M. Briand and Mr Lloyd George’s conversations while the re suit of the meeting of the (Prime Ministers has not yet been announced the fact has emerged from the general o >- scanty that tlio questions of reparation and disarmament are what block a complete agreement. France is prepared to accept the principle of disarmament, but she also demands, as a primary condition, an agreement that Britain will guarantee her security against, aiiy fittuic German action, , Britain is not prepared to go this far.

THE INDEMNITY DIFFICULTY. LONDON, December 22. \s between Britain and France, the greatest point of difference concerns the reparations. France says, m effect that she is prepared to give Germany time if Britain will bear the burden of the German default. In other words it is stated, Franco says: “We don t mind if Germany is allowed not to discharge her obligations to all the Allies, if Britan will guarantee we shall Hot have to wait for our share. This attitude, it is pointed out. indicates that France does not appreciate the fact that while she is self supporting and independent of on sue trade for her life. Britain is not so, as her internal resources are gravely limi - ed. Franco undoubtedly regards Britain as an unlimited ocean of wealtn, regardless of the fact that if Britain is still financially stable, it is only because the Britishers submitted to the most amazing taxation in the world . history. The French people on the contrary, are scarcely taxed beyond the pre-war. standard. It is stnt ® France made and makes much by her devastated areas. She is foigett g Briain has devastated trade and industry, which is more menacing to Britisli existence than the broken towns are to that of the French.

anglo-belgtan friendship. BRUSSELS. Dec 21. The Premier, M. Theunis, in accepting the Premiership, sent a- message to Mr Llovd George as follows: It will be the’new Belgian Cabinet s endeavour to maintain our mutual confidence and sympathy resulting from our common .sufferings with the British Empire in the war.” INACCORD. BRIAND AND GEORGE. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, ' Dee. 22. It is senii-officially stated that the M. Briand and Hon Lloyd Geoige a\ e arrived at a satisfactory understanding on all points. A complete accord wn.s reached on the point that stable Euiopean Powers should lead a movement for European reconstruction and a common line action has been agreed upon. Both Ministers have undertaken to confer with leading businessmen and financiers on the subject toi tlm it i. also to bold a joint meeting of AngloFrench businessmen in Paris next The Supreme Council meeting at Cannes will probably summon a European Economic Conference. M. Briand lias left for Paris. The American Ambassador had a conference with M. Briand this morning, presumably in connection with correspondence lietween M. Briand and Mr Hughes over naval limitations. PARTS, Dec. 22. While some express disappointment at the Ifiondon conversation, the newspapers generally believe the differences will soon bo satisfactorily adjusted. The ‘Petit Parisien’ declares both Ministers are working for the consolidation of Europe but while M. Briand wants to begin with a Franco-Eritisb understanding. Hon Lloyd George wants to start the European plan with the inelusion of Germany.