MR LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1923, Page 3

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. The following and all of Mr Lloyd George articles, are copyright by United Press in America and all countries, copyright in Australasia by the Australian Press, Copyright, in Britain by the Daily Chronicle. (Reproduction in full or part prohibited). (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON May 17. Hon ■ Lloyd George writes:—The French and Belgian Governments have slapped another opportunity in the lace. To make that slap resound, as well as sting, they have accompanied their rejection of the German oiler by a savage .sentence of fifteen years imprisonment on the head of the greatest industrial ennrerii in Ruhr if not in Europe. What for? Because lie ordered the work siren to sound: “Cease work.” lor one day, when French troops occupied the place. There is a swagger and Grim I ity about that sentence which betokens recklessness. It came at a moment when the German Government had just made an offer of peace, and when Britain wa, urging the French Government to treat that olfer at least as the starting point for discussion. The answer was to treat the German Note as an olfcnc.' and promulgate a penal .sentence which was an outrage to every sense of decency throughout the world, and to refuse to permit an Ally, who had been so faithful in the time of trouble, even the courtesy of discussion on the tenor of the reply to he given. Prussian arrogance, in its crudest days, can furnish no such example of clumsy, .shortsighted inaptitude. Hitherto there has been a common ground that 2609 millions is the figure which Germany can he expected to ptiy. France tun! Belgium are now insisting on the full measure of lhe 6.609 millions award. They scoff at Mr Hughes' proposal and treat Germany’s acton in putting it forward as “an expression of systematic revolt against the Treaty ol \ ersaiMes.’ An impossible payment, is insisted on. and the costs of occupation are to he added to that, and until both are li(|iiidated the French armies are to remain in occupation of the richest areas of Germany. Meanwhile the British Einpiie and United States who at prodigious cost of litc and treasure saved I'ranee Irum humiliation similar to that which she is now inflicting upon Germany, are practically tt.ld when they venture to offer suggestions, to mind their own business. The sum tillered by Germany is no doubt inadequate, and cannot be accepted hv any of the Allies in the discharge of Germany s treaty obligations. I have no doubt the Germans meant the offer to he taken as the basis of negotiations. The iclttsal to meeting in conference until the figure proposed is acceptable, rules out the discussion between the parties as a means of coming to terms on the main question in dispute. Goodwill can bridge any abyss. lin onilitional surrender, il insisted upon between the idependeut bodies it. sure to he a p.c----1 title to fresh disputes. The mere fact, therefore, that Germany puts forward a. proposal which falls she; tof the equities of the ca-e is mil siilliciont reason for declining a conierence to determine what the right sum should he. Furthermore, the Germans imposed •in alternative which was virtually an acceptance of Air Hughes famous Xewhaven suggestion. Mr Hughes made il dear that the United Stales was prepared to assist in such no inquiry, ft seemed to me, a supreme opportunity for placing the vexed question which was fretting Europe almost into a nervous paralysis on the pathway leading to a real settlement. The more I think of that proposal, the more I am convinced it was right. and the more ! am perplexed by the rude indifference with which it was treated by the Allied Governments. I can umlersimul lho.se who wish to exploit reparalious for ulterior purposes being anxious In keep Aiueiica out of the business, hut wliv did Britain. Italy and Belgium neglect this 0 f t . curing the association of the one (lower which could have been helpful in reaching a fair sound decision. To declare, as the French Note does, that the Hughes proposition abrogates the \ ersitilles treaty is to ignore the provisions of that I reals. As a matter of fact it would be a restoration of the treaty, which relegated the question of Hie mount which Getmany should pay to the Allied Commission on which America was represented. The withdrawal of the only country with lio direct interest in the reparations left the Commission a lop-sided and highly prejudiced tiibuunl. Ineiofere it is essential that America should he represented on the tribunal that fixes Hie payments- I" he oxaetdo from Germany.

The German Government now ofler to submit the fate of their oouiitiy t-o the unaltered clauses of the treaty. France and Belgium have no right, in honour, to demand submission to nn\ other, because they insist upon enforcing something entirely different from the contract entered into in 1919. Europe is disqiiietened and internatioii.il relations are saturated with the inflammable spirit of resentment, hatred ami revenge. No wonder General Foc-li is touring Central Europe to put too Allied .Armies in order. He set-ins to me to he the one man in France who has an understanding of what all this is leading up to.