Speech by M Poincaire.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1922, Page 3

Speech by M Poincaire.

| VUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON. Dee 9. Af. Poincare replying t’o Air Lloyd George’s criticisms of the- Ffoiit'li policy in wlficli lie asserts an important party in France is desirous of annexing the left bank of the Rhine states such a I party does not exist* except in Air Lloyd George’s imagination. There was not a Government Minister, not even a deputy senator who put forward such a foolish design. Air Llovd Grorgo says he offered Al. Clemenceau in 1919 a British pact of guarantee, in order to help him against the Chauvinist)! of his compatriots. I am sure this does not corerspond with M. Clemenceau’s idea. In any ease the pact proposed at Cannes was entirely illusory, and excluded anything in the nature of an alliance, and was offered for a, decade only, which is shorter than the period of allied occupation of the left hank of the Rhino. Therefore it would probably end at the time when it would he useful. However, the pact did not in cot the case of it direct tg-o-rcr-sion such as a German attack on •Poland. Air Lloyd George now pro- ! tends wo asked for a teal, militai \ i convention. It is true/ France wanted [ ii convention analogous to that existi i„g before the war. When tins was I refused Kranoe agreed to continue the j discussion stipulating that tne pact ' should provide a permanent contract i between tfio military staffs. Mr Llovd George, however, gave ns to understand that this must he delayed until an agreement was reached at Genoa Conference on the Eastern question. and question of Tangier*, tint Genoa did not fulfil ali Mr Uloyd George's wishes, la cause his views were ini ompatiblc with realities. Likewise eastern affairs have not taken tlw course, Constantine. Gouitai'is and Llovd George hoped they would. Nothing had been more fortunate for 'the pc.ee of the world. Lausanne j> roved that complete accord lititee„rth was possible between Englanc. and France ergarding the eastern ~0-lii)t>. lii)t>. Uufontunateily that aeeoid did not exist a few months age. ""UL*-™