CANNES CONFERENCE..

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1922, Page 3

CANNES CONFERENCE..

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRIAND MENACED. CANNES, Jan 11. Some correspondents declare that M. Briand’s departure for Paris is indicative of the difficulties of those Premiers ivhoi are dependent on party majorities when conducting negotiation* instead of diplomatists. They point out that if M. Briand is defied in thei WiYnch Chamber, all the negotiations carried on will come to nought. There is a crisis in Paris so serious that it is reported as possible that M. Millerand, with Briand’s approval may dissolve Parliament for a general election.

According to the “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent, the French Cabiiiet yesterday unanimously agreed that France cannot consent to any reduction, id the reparations diiei from Germany, or the abandonment of the left bank of the Rhine, or the right to military and economic sanctions if circumstances demand it. It is understood that insistence on this decision has desired M. Briand to return. - BELGIUM AND TREATY. CANNES, Jan 11.. Signor Bonomi (Italian Premier) has written to Mr Lloyd George, formally requesting Italy’s inclusion in the Pact. Belgium has made a similar application. Mr Lloyd George states that the first Pact will be solely between Britain and France, whose interests are intimately bound together, but it will serve as a basis which may be completed later by admitting Belgium and Italy. Anglo-belgiAn PACT. CANNES, Jail 12. At a meeting, the British and Belgian delegations decided to draw up an An-glo-Beigian Pact, whereunder Belgium will take ail necessary measures for guarding her frontiers. In exchange, the British guarantee aid in the event, of attack.

FRENCH WILL ACCEPT PACT. CANNES, Jan. 11. M. Briand, the French Premier, lias left Cannes for Paris, to report to the French Chamlier of Deputies on the Anglo-French Pact. He returns to Cannes on Friday. Prior to his departure, M. Briand stated that he was certain that the Chamber would accept the Pact. - SITUATION REMAINS UNCERTAIN LONDON, Jan. 11 The Australian press understands that the situation at Cannes is viewed in authoritative circles with considerable anxiety. The Pact with France drafted is a brief, simple document, on broad general lines, with a currency of ten years. The present trouble, t is stated, lies, however, in conditions which, though informulated, have been the subject of conversations between Mr Lloyd George and M. Briand. While nothing has been clone to weaken the defensive measures provided under tlie Versailles Treaty conditions, it is suggested there is simply a desire on Britain’s part for some modifications of France's policy. '~~* r GERMANY’S POSITION. 'Received This Day at P. 40 n.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12. M. Rathenau on behalf of Germany addressed the Council at Cannes for ; half an hour, giving details of Ger- I many’s position. Her plight was serious.’ She was faced with a deficit on exports and imports alone, of over one hundred million marks. :

THE PACT. fßeceived This Dav at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12.

The Pact originally contained six articles whereof the second relating to Belguim was dropped in view of the decision to conclude a separate AngloBelginm guarantee treaty. Article one stipulates for joint action of AngloFrench naval, military and air force, in the event of unprovoked attack by Germany. The second stipulates on the inpistance of a strict- observance of military clause of the Versailles Treaty. The third provides for concerted action in the event of the violation of the neutral zone by Reich troops. The fourth makes it clear that the Dominions are only bound if they elect to endorse the Pact. The fifth that the Pact exists for a decade, but is renewable, - French opinion is gratified by article two, but considers three weakens its right as embodied in the Versailles Treaty. This and the Polish position, as affected by the Pact provides the main heads of French criticism. The Pact with Belgium is simple and consists of two articles, wherein Bi itain agrees to come to Belgium s rescue if unprovokedly attacked by Germany, while Belgium undertakes to repel Germany’s attempt to cross her territory towards France^

CABINET APPROVAL. PARIS, Jan. 12 After M. Briand had presented .the, report on the Cannes Conference, Cabinet affirmed its complete accord with the line he had taken. j CANNES AGREEMENT. Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) CANNES, Jan 12. The Councils agreed upon the subjects for the Genoa Conference, which include recognition of all public debts, discussion of finance conditions impeding the revival of trade and the task of reconstructing the purchasing power of .national currencies; also how best to impediments to a free interchange of products and rapid removal if impediments resulting from the war. 1 Hon Lloyd George is presiding at the Cannes Conference in M. Briand’s absence.