Reparations.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1923, Page 2

Reparations.

VOSTIIAHAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THE FRENCH VIEW. PARIS. Jan 1. The “Petit Parisien” declares France will maintain the attitude taken up at London Conference, and reject a reduction of Germany’s debt unless compensation is provided, though .suggesting a. reduction by means of assignments ot credit. If that plan is considered inipracticable; Frit nee will express her » willingness to pay interest- on her debts, pl-ovided she receives from Germany the slim necessary for reconstruction of tiie liberated regions, representing almost precisely what France should receive on the first fifty milliards of fra lies. She will also propose, a moratorium for two years winch must be extended to payments for the armies of occupation or payments of_ ▼ , kind, and may even exclude some pay- . incuts in specie. As an offset against the moratorium France will demand strict measures of control for reorgamsat ion of German finance*, and will oeri a'lily demand guarantees regarding V exploitation of forests in the occupied areas in order to assure deliveries of wood required hy the Reparations Commission. FRENCH DEMAND. PARIS, Jan I. Tint “Petit- Parisien” says the guarantees France will demand also include the supervision of deliveries of coal in Ruhr province destined for reparations; the collection of certain proportion of foreign hills provided hy German exports from Rhenish territories and Ruhr: the collection of Customs revenue in the occupied regions Mini Ruhr. The sums thus collected would bo retained during the moratorium, only in such measure as Germany failed to fulfil her engagements. Thus Ue' 1 many would not bti deprived of important resources when being asked to restore her finances. France also proposes a definite guarantee should he effected for an international loan controlled hy if Committee of Guarantees, to which would In- added representatives of subscribers. With reference) to Herr Ciinu’s statements, that proposals had hoeu submitted by France to assure' the security of her frontiers. it is aiihoritatively stated in Paris that Government was merely advised from Washington that the German Ambassador had conferred with the American Secretary of State on the subject, but the suggestions were regarded a.s wild talk ns they did not carry news or serious guarantees, flip official French view is that as the \< rsailles Treaty lias not lapsed, the German proposals do not make a useful or definite contribution to the solution " of the question. The “Matin” expresses the opinion that the Reparations Commission Conference constitutes the most inifxirtnnt since the war. It is impossible to imagine that the policy will be clearly marked out whether an agreement is r<ached or not. French plans for the seizure of guarantees from Germany are complete in all details. german CHANCELLOR BERLIN. Dee 31. 'V" Herr Ciino -aid definite guarantees would he given in return for a. loan. These would have to Ik- negotiated in Germany. He claimed equal politieal economic rights and also reiterated a demand for the withdrawal of the army of occupation, which was a hinderance m trade. Duisberg. Ruhort and Dus-ehlorff must he evacuated. A final solution was only reachable d there were mi end, onee mill tor all, to force and threats of force, by open negotiations, and by a frank discussion I set Wee n. man and fman. a solution could Ik. found. As proof ot Germany's desire for peace. Cuno sain Germany through a third power had recently proposed to make a pledge with France and other powers interested in the Rhine not to declare war for a generation, without first taking a plebiscite, but France declined the proposal