CANNES CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1922, Page 2

CANNES CONFERENCE.

iI,SI KALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

MORATORIUM- GRANTED. CANNES, January 13. J The Allied Reparations Committee have granted Germany a provisional ' moratorium, until a new arrangement J i s made. Meantime she must pay • 31,000,000 gold marks every 10 days, and must give guarantees of financial reform. NEW CABINET FORMING. PARIS, ' January 13. •; Ex-President Poincaire is now forming a Ministry. It is not expected that a settlement. of the Ministerial crisis will bo long , delayed. | It is generally believed that M. Poin- . caire himself vtfU take Jthe Foreign j ■Affairs portfolio, and that several of the outgoing Ministers will be retained, including M. Sarraut, who is at present in Washington. i Question regarding the Anglo-French : pact, M. Poincaire was non-committal, but lie emphasised the importance that , I he attached to British friendship, based j on the policy of compelling Germany to fulfil every detail of her obligations. It is declared, M. Poincaire favours , making France’s participation in the Genoa Economic Conference conditional on full respects being given to all her rights. It is expected Mr Lloyd George will be invited to confer with M. Poincaire and President Millerand on Sunday when passing through Paris. Tlie newspapers are confident M. Poincaire will preserve harmony with the Allies and will see that Germany fulfils her obligations.

The paper “Le Temps” editorially, argues that despite the crisis, the European situation demands the signing of the proposed Pact, which would consolidate peace and facilitate the reparations. “We are convinced,” ‘Le 'Temps’ addls, “that both the British and French public unanimously agree that the Ministerial crisis must not wreck our hopes. BERLIN, January 13. The German Press comments on the French crisis are calm and reserved. They welcome, however, the breathing space which the break-up at the Cannes Conference provides. CANNES, January 13. Britain and Italy have exchanged “aides memoire” regarding the Anglo French Pact Italy, in a friendly Note said that she could not refrain from observing that it might have been preferable to strengthen the whole Entente, instead of concluding a separate agreement for the safety of the frontier., Mr Lloyd George, replying, pointed out there was a menace to Britain from the possibility of a German Army on the French coast bombarding London, and from the fact that the Germans had occupied Paris within living memory. Italy had great natural barriers, and had no need to share the common anxiety of Britain and France, but Britain offered to Italy, as well as to France, intimate co-operation in building up a great system of European accord for the maintenance of peace. ROME, January 13. The “Tribuna” announces the recall of the Italian Ambassadors from London and Paris. Presumably they are to consult the Government on the European problems. The Italian Labour Confederation are seeking representation at the Genoa Economic Conference, and have adopted a resolution in favour of Socialist collaboration with the Government. | The European ‘Economic Conference meets at Genoa on March Bth.

POINCAIRE’S ATTITUDE. VERY FIRM ON REPARATIONS. PARIS, Jan 14. There appears to be a doubt that M. Poincare while desiring to arrange terms with Britain, wants the Pact to lie of a character that will not deprive France of her rights and guarantees under the existing treaties. His, past utterances show that he stands) firm on the reparation payments that were laid down last May. It remains to be seen whether, under the exigencies of to-day lie can remain similarly firm, in his role as Prime Miniser or may bow to circumstances like M. Briand. It is unlikely that he will support the Genoa Economic Conference unless the question of reparations is rigidly excluded from the agenda. M. Poincare has informed) a French Parliamentary Delegation that his conversations with Mr Lloyd George would be likely to last for several- hours. Therefore the formation of his Cabinetwould probably he delayed' till Sunday. “Le Matin’ 7 says. M. Poincare'S feelings towards England; are unalterably and profoundly affectionate but these sentiments do not necessitate the acceptance of all the proposals recently made to France some of which are calculated to destroy rather than to consolidate the Entente. Writing in the current issue of the “Revue des Deux Mondes” M. Poincare says -.—The Genoa Conference is a plunge into the unknown. He adds:— It is more important to, France- to receive several millions of francs in her reparations to-morrow than to be assured of France’s rights to be paid at some future date. French papers approve of the timely publication of the Pact. Some papers assert its abandonment would be a, veritable misfortune to both countries.

HIGH LIFE AT CANNES. PARIS, Jan 14. M. Poincare has infromed Lord Hardinge (British Ambassador) that he will meet) Mr Lloyd George at the British' Embassy on Saturday. M. Gustave Herve, writing in the paper, “Victorie,” says: “Mr Lloyd George who knows nothing of French mentality and its. sensitiveness, is the sole author of the French Ministerial crisis.” “Le Temps” publishes articles on, “Golf and Diplomacy.” It’ points out: “Golf is an excellent stimulus to British diplomatists, but if the French politicians want to learn, they should do so during the vacation!”. The article sums up much of the French boulevard

chattor of the last week, to the effect “that when the vital interests of Europe were at stake, >Mr Lloydi George felt it was a good opportunity to teach

GERMAN FEAR OF POINCARE.

BERLIN Jan 14. Th© German Press is troubled over the likelihood of M. Poincare’s return to power in France. I’hfey are convinced that he is a worse man for Germany than Briand as they consider France will exipect him to endeavour to apply scorpions where M. Briand belaboured them with rods. M. Briand how, to play golf. At other timeß the pair spent their time at the Carlton, ini Cannes, watching a dancer performing to a jazz band. These rumours it remarks, are “grossly exaggerated” but they have done untold harm |to the reputation of the Allied. Supreme Council on every side. Frenchmen ar paying: “This conference is a j farce 1” i LLOYD GEORGE’S HOPES. i i LONDON, Jan* 14. Mr Lloyd George has left Glumes and I has gone to Paris to! confer with Presi- . dent Millerand, and possibly Premier 1 Poincare before his departure for England. ; Mr Lloyd George, in a conference with British press representatives, said “The new French situation had made no change in the, Pact. It was not nec- ' essary to summon another meeting of ■ the Supreme Council prior to the Genoa Economic Conference, unless, the new French Government had different views from its predecessors. Mr Lloyd George said he attached great importance to the Genoa Economic Conference. If it succeeded, it would mean the pacification of Europe. Broader views would be in sight after the Genoa Conference, and they would be towards a Federation of Nations for the purpose of preserving peace. All . wanted the United States to come in, if ptossible. 'Mr Lloyd George also said:—“l aJ- • ways send long telegraphic summaries > of the conference to my colleagues, the Dominion Premiers. > PREAMBLE OF THE PACT. LONDON, January 14. i The text of the Anglo-French Pact has been published and it cjmfirr ' the summary of five articles already i published. The introduction says: Whereas the soil of France has been twice invaded by Germany within living l memory, and she is still suffering deep- > ly from the devastation brought by the enemy; 'and the peoples of France and t the British Empire have paid a heavy ; toll of manhood and wealth in overcom--3 ing the invasion of German armies; 1 and whereas the welfare of Europer an peoples and the economic structure I of the world was profoundly disturbed 3 by the protracted ordeal of war, and - whereas guarantees of the security of e France against future invasion by Gercl many are indispensable to the restora:l tion of European stability, the safety . of Britain, and the safety of the world; 3 and whereas, the safeguards qontairu- - in Clauses 42, 43, and 44 of the Vern sailles Treaty may not sufficiently proi, vide for the defence essential to the p common interests of the high contractr mg parties and the maintenance peace in Western Europe, His M/f/estu King George sf England and the II sident of France have agreed on the i- five articles.

PREMIERS CONFER. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 15. M. Poincare and Air Lloyd George conferred for two hours at the British Embassy. It is understood M. Poineaiiv suggested the Anglo-French Pact be extended to the Rhine regions and also that France retain liberty of action in carrying out penalties against Germany in case of the latter’s failure to fulfil tbe Treaty obligations. M. Poincaire favours diplomatic negotiations for a settlement of the problems, instead of a conference of the Supreme Council like Cannes. * NEW FRENCH CABINET. deceived This Day at 8.30 a.rn.) PARIS, Jan 14. The new French Cabinet is officially announced. M. Poincare is Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs. M, Bartheu, Minister of Justice. M. Maginot, Minister of War. Four more of M. Briand’s colleagues, Bertand,~Sarraute, Dior and Trocquer, lone not changed tlleir portfolios. M. Raiberti is Minister of Marine. M. Reibel, Minister of Liberated Regions. •

TOEING THE' LINE,

(Received This Dav at 9.40 a.m.) PARIS, January 15. ‘/‘Le Journal” learns from Berlin that Germany will fulfil the Reparations Commissions orders and pay thir-ty-one million gold marks every ten days. FRENCH INTENTIONS. PARIS, January 14. The “Matin” states M. Poincare informed Mr Lloyd George that he may not attend the Genoa Conference. M. Viviani will represent France and Herr Wirth, Germany.