THE INDEMNITIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1921, Page 3

THE INDEMNITIES.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CANNES CONFERENCE LONDON, December 24. Mr Lloyd George and M. Briniul will spend a few days together at Cannes before the Conference opens on January 4 th. A GERMAN VIEW. PARIS, December 24. . The ••Matin” publishes an interview with General Hoffmann, who was German Commander-in-Chi*i on the Eastern front during the war, in which he states that Bolshevism was more menacing than ever, and should l>e over—thr'own by the combined force* of France and Germany, the latter maintaining an army of 1,000,000 men. After that the Allied countries and ||f Germany should divide Russia into ex- j ploitablo sections. 1 Count von Kessler formerly a friend j of the ex-Kaiser, is now in Paris ad- J vocating a similar proposal. It is also | reported that Herr Hugo Stinnes and j Dr W. Rnthennu, German Minister of 'Reconstruction, advocated the some thing during their recent visits to j London. j French opinion regards the proposal j as designed to assist Germany to acquire a large army and also to distract French attention from the reparations question. REPARATIONS- PROBLEM. j BERLIN, December 34. The Government deferred its reply to the, Reparation Commission’s {Note pending Dr. Ruthenau’s return from London, but it is semi-officially stated there cannot be any question of Allied control of finances in Germany which would be an infringement of her independence. PARIS, December 24. Replying in the Chamber of Deputies to M. Klotz who contended that French taxation was double that of Germany. M. Briand said that France did not intend to abandon any of the guarantees she already held. Mr Lloyd George had in no wise suggested fresh French sacrifices. The London conversations had strengthened the Entente. , GERMAN ACTION. PARIS. Dec. 26. The “Petit Parisien’s” Berlin correspondent states the German Government believing the London Conference lias completely modified the situation will not reply to the Reparation Commission’s Note, hut will open direct negotiations with France. ■ HOPES OF FRANCE. PARIS, December 27. Hon. Lloyd George, replying to an address from the Prefecture of Amiens, said he was going to Cannes, firmly intending that things should bp so dealt with that France would he entirely satisfied. He was certain that result would be attained. BELGIAN PROTEST. PARIS, Dec 27. Belgian newspapers accuse France at the recent London Conference of con- * testing Belgium’s priority claim to reparation. The “Matin” admits Hon Lloyd George’s plain calls 'for a few sacrifices by Belgium in 1922. Government communicated the plan to Belly/ stium without the slightest wish and arose dissension.