A French Seasation.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1922, Page 3

A French Seasation.

! REPORTED DISCLOSURES OF RELATIONS. ' j "inE times” service. ! .Received This Dnv at 9.5 a.m.) 1 PARIS, March 30. Disclosures made by a former Minj ister, M. Marsal, at a secret sitting of ] the Senate may prove the turning point jin the Anglo-French relations, and j turning point for worse. Marsal related a deplorable attempt by Hon | Lloyd George at Spa, in 1921, to squeeze France into acceptance of the British proposal, that the price < f reparation coal from Germany to France should be £3 sterling per ton, instead of £2. Hon Lloyd George threatened Millernnd that he would declare the Entente ended and arraign France in the Commons, unless she consented. Marsal seems also to have divulged that an attempt was made by Lloyd George to purchase Belgium’s support by the promise of increased percentage e, 1 re- , pnrntions. ; The effect in Parliamentary circles of this disgraceful chapter in British relations with France is analogous to the effect of the revelation in t'-e court of , law of a scandal which previously was only dub gossip. The Senate has hitherto been the stronghold of French fidelity to the Entente, but as a consequence of Marsal’s statement, there is reason to fear some of the foundations will be sapped. flte newspaper “Temps” comments: “We hope no such pressure, which leaves a lasting trace on the minds of the people will be exerted at Genoa. If one wishes a better future, it is expedient not to poison it by evil memories.”