LONDON CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1922, Page 2

LONDON CONFERENCE

reuteb’s telegrams. , WHO IS TO BLAME. BERLIN, Aug 15. | The newspapers vigorously relute M. Poincare’s assertion that Germany is stuhiiornly committing bankruptcy. PARIS, Aug 15. The newspapers accuse Hon Lloyd George of responsibility for wrecking ; the Conference and generally ascribe | the breakdown to the publication of Sir A. Balfour’s note, which had not permitted Hon Lloyd George to take steps towards a compromise.

french PARLIAMENT TO BE SUMMONED. PARIS, Aug 15. The French Cabinet will hear M. Poincare make a statement on ’Wednesday. An early special session of the French Parliament is expected. “La Figaro” says France cannot longer disguise the fact that Mr IJoyd George is now her implacable enemy. 1-le has coolly wrecked this Conference. to which he nad invited M. Potn eaiv, after Mr Lloyd George had decided.. in advance, to refuse all concessions. The whole, discussion has been a snare. Air IJoyd George and the trade's of Germany were agreed upon the moratorium question. The paper refuses to believe that Mr Lloyd George, in placing a restoration of Germany in the forefront of the economic reconstruction of Europe really represents British sentiment.

GERMAN FINANCIAL PANIC RESULTS. BERLIN, Aug 15. The breaking of the London Conference has struck the bourse at Berlin like an electric shock. It has resulted in stormy scenes, the brokers making frantic efforts to obtain foreign currency. The German Government intimated to France and Britain Today then- willingness to pay £500,001 in clearing house payments, as previouslv offered. Tim bitterness of public feeling against France is most intense.

AVAR-LIKE GERMAN TALK AGAINST FRANCE. BERLIN, Aug 15. Von Kahr. former Bavarian Premier. speaking at a representative German gathering in Munich, stigmatized France as the tormentor and oppressor of Germany, and added “Our sworn enemy, armed to the teeth, is striving to increase and complete armaments with money obtained from Germany for a restoration o ie devastated regions. This depiora state of affairs will continue until Ger many cherishes her honour, as Prussia did after I 860."

A BETRAYAL OF THE ENTENTE ALLEGED. BRUSSELS. August 16. The newspaper “Le Soir” declares: “England now ranges herself with the nation that torpedoed the Lusitania, that homlwrded London, and devastated Belgium and Northern France and ranges herself against her Allies. New catastrophes are to be feared.” The paper attacks Mr Lloyd George. It says: “This betrayal of the Entente cannot, bring good fortune to any of the Allies.”

WHY BRITAIN WANTS INDEMNITY CUT. LONDON. August 15. Sir .T. Steel-ATaitland, with Sir Francis Bell and Sir Jus Allen was representing New Zealand at the Geneva Conference of the League of Nations re mandates. Discussing in the “Evening Standard” tbe practicability of enforcing tbe German reparations. SteeiAlaitlawl maintains that, as a result of his experience ns a Minister of tbe Department. of Overseas Trade, be is convinced that Germany can only pay for goods in paper marks, which arc not acceptable, because they are not negotiable for gold. Their negotiation for

gold is impossible because the gold reserves of Germany hardly equal one hundredth part- of German liabilities to the Allies. The only alternative, he claims is that, in those goods in which Germany is competing with Britain in the overseas and neutral markets. Germany must undercut. She is now undercutting Britain. He says antidumping duties against Germany will prove unavailable, because if they nr© effective. Germany null be unable to pay. Therefore it is inevitable that Germany’s reparations must be reduced quickly.