FRANCE & GERMANY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1923, Page 2

FRANCE & GERMANY

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. REPARATIONS OVERTURES. I PARIS, March 17 I There have been great discussions in the lobbies of the Chamber regarding an nlleged German offer to fix the Reparations at 1500 million sterling. - . Loucbeur declared France cannot accept such figures as France has advanced 1200 millions on account of the German debt, and also considering F renoli foreign debts. . , | LONDON, March 1. j The “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent analyses the feeling regarding the rumours as to intervention in the Ruhr. Some prominent persons consider that this possibility of a discussion is a carefully-worked French trick, designed to undermine the German determination, but it is more geneialv regarded as an indication that the Allies desire to end the adventure. Wonderment is expressed in Berlin at the British passivity. The conclusion is frequently drawn that Britain is afraid of France. On the whole the Germans consider they have reason to be satisfied, because it is Franco, England, Belgium, and America who must discuss the, possibility of mediation, showing it is in the interests of those countries that peace and order should be restored, in Germany. Ihereloi., she sees no reason to relax passive resistance. Moreover, she will not admit the undoubted tact that she is glad the question of negotiations is being canvassed by the outside world.

F'RKSII NEGOTIATIONS. PARIS, March lb. The French Foreign Office denies knowledge of any attempt to settle the Franco-German question by a thml Power. It says overtures would not 1h acceptable if made through a tliml Power. Any negotiation must come direct.