BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1922, Page 3

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

CABLE NEWS.

FRANCE’S ATTITUDE DEFINED AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. LONDON, June 13. Mi- Flogbon will represent the Commonwealth at The Hague Conference. The “Daily Express” laris eoirespondent states M. Poincare, trench Premier in a conversation with journalists, said that-the hankers’ conference regarding a German loan had ended as it was expected it would. T he hankers had met too soon. The time was not yet ripe for talking of loans to Germany. Firstly, they-should put their finances in order. France aas willing that Germany should he granted a moratorium, but it was essenit ■ that German budget taxation should bo controlled. France would not consent to anv reduction of the German Debt M. Poincare defers his statement of nolicy regarding reparations until nc returns from London. M. Poincare an patently wishes to have an understand itw with Mr Lloyd George.

FRANCE’S REPLY TO BRITAIN. PARTS, June 13. The French reply to the British note regarding the Hague Conference suggests that the Allies and neutrals oilg t to have agreed to some clear plan hegfirds a preliminary conference as solely one for experts, the other * ments have ttiken a different view and have decided to he represented by them diplomats. The expert conference on .Tune 25th will not deal with the que. -tions of principle, which would only give favourable opportunity for Sonet propaganda, hut will deal with practical means of re-establishing normal relations between Russia and the other countries. This meeting of the experts will not be preceded by any piolinii - ary conversations on the actual pi op als to he presented in any tommo agreement with the Russians. It is an forSely certain at the presen time that such an agreement does not exist The discussion at Genoa merely revealed the profound divergencies isting. Would it he reasonable to presertt ourselves as divided and without any precise plan before the Soviet gates ? They showed at Genoa tlm they :kneW how to take advantage the' least agreement, The French, like the French Government, considers that the Cannes resolutions shou d he re warded as the imperative rule at Ibe Hague. It was because the Soviet delegates at Genoa, deliberately and repeatedly departed from the letter aml Che spirit of those Cannes Resolutions that France now insists on the neto.sity of keeping thereto. FRENCH UNDECIDED.

(Received this day at 9.50 a.m.l PARIS, June 13.

Cabinet will decide to-day whether France will participate in the Hague Conference. . Tardieu waiting in the “Echo National”, says a comparison of the 'AngloFrench notes shows both countries are not at all in agreement and reproaches M Poincaire fo r not taking up a definite position. Tardieu opposes France going to Hague. Paris newspapers publish extracts from a speech which M. Deschanel intended to deliver in the course of an interpellation on M. Poincaire’s policy, hut his death intervened. Deschanel • thought that French and British interests were in. separable, hut he opposed the British policy. Britain's traditional policy was to try to maintain a continental equilibrium by supporting the weaker against the stronger. It did not always succeed, and more than evei now, without wishing to do so. it imperilled the world’s peace.