WAR DEBTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1922, Page 2

WAR DEBTS.

UJSTUAI.IAN A.NJt N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION the reparations. CRITICISM OF FRANCE.

LONDON, August 22 \ Mr George Barnes, the member of the House of Commons, in an inter- j view, .said:—He regretted that France had not seen her way to co-operate with Britain regarding a settlement of post-war problems in a manner we might have expected. We may not like Germans. He did not. He was afraid they had shown little change of heart. They had not played fair m peace, any more than in war; but we had to live with them. Compulsion was no remedy. We could not take over Germany, but must somehow bring lier to co-operate with us in restoring conditions enabling countries to produce and exchange goods to the fullest extent. He was glad Britain Tiad taken the lead in that direction.

'THE MIND OF FRANCE. LONDON, August 22. The London -‘Daily Telegraph” Paris correspondent states: —“Only the Communist and extreme Socialist journals m any way oppose M. Poincaire’s speech on the Reparations which is welcomed even by those who are no admirers of the Premier. Undoubtedly M. Poincaire spoke the mind of France as a whole, for whatever differences Frenchmen have on internal or international affairs, they are solidly united regarding the reparations of their devastated areas.

GERMAN DEPRESSION. LONDON, August 22. The “Daily Chronicle” Berlin correspondent says: —M. Poincaire’s speech has created a renewed wave of pessimism and this combined with the stupid Hindonburg demonstrations in Munich, ha s caused the mark to tumble. The moderate circles are of the opinion that M. Poincaire showed a lamentable lack of common sense in making such a speech at a moment when the Reparations Commission was negotiating a most delicate situation here.

SUPPORT OF POINCARE. THE TIMS* ” SERVICE. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Aug. 22. Tie “Times” Paris correspondent says M. Poincaire’s speech is endorsed by the press and meetings throughout the country have immensely strengthened his position. Practically the whole country is behind him. The failure of the London Conference has not weakened, but actually consolidated his power. Cognisance must be taken ol the fact that the speech was intended to go above the beads of the British and French, and constitute a thundering, menacing" warning to Germany, since the root of the French policy is based on the idea that nothing can come from Germany if she does not believe that as a last resort, France will be prepared to net coercively.