GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FRENCH CONDITIONS. PARTS, August 2. As the Btitish Government has given publicity to the Notes addressed to Franco and Belgium, the French For- -Wjf eigti Office has issued the reply which - France sent to Mr Baldwin on Monday. The reply says that, while France is disposed to examine the German proposals of July 7, the Government is obliged to state that they contain no announcement of the end of passive resistance.

While France is ready to reply to tho British questions at iiny time, tho French Government reiterates that Franco and Belgium will only evacuate the Ruhr as Germany makes payments. If passive resistance ceases immediately, France will modify tho occupation in a manner compatible with the security of the troops, engineers and the preservation of tho pledges she holds.

The Ruhr was occupied to ereato in Germany the will to pay, and France is convinced that, if Britain simply informs Germany that she disapproves of tlie policy which is ruining Germany and threatening to ruin Britain, everything will soon he restored to order.

The pro-'em ruinous condition of Germany. the reply adds, is not due to the occupation itself. PUBLICATION OF DOCUMENTS. XF.WSPAPER INFORMATION. fB-»ceived this day at S a.m.5 LONDON, Aug. 3. The ‘‘Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent says that the British Government is paying the price of its habitual courtesy. It was in deference to tho French request that Britain undertook to refrain from publishing the documents until the consent of all parties were obtained. Tho Government towards the end of the week askpd tho French Government’s permission to publish the French documents along with the British and so the French Ambassador called at the Foreign Office and gave permission.

. The Qua De’Orsay simultaneously published the French answer to tho British draft note to Germany. LONDON, Aug. 5. Surprise was manifested in London at the French action lint Cabinet decided not to allow the habitual calm to be disturbed by these methods. It is not likely that the British publication of the documents will lie made before the middle of the week. ‘ Regarding the question of tho replv to Germany the Government has decided not. to show its hand until the full facts of the past eight months are made known to the world. When these are published the Government will he in a stronger position for announcing its further policy towards both Germany and France. The “Daily Express” Lobbyist say." that Cabinet realizes the futility if proceeding with the Draft Note to Germany. A reply will be made to France and Belgium, but only oil points calling for definite answers. The policy of non-interference .vith France seems steadily to increase in Ministerial favour and a period of deadlock must, intervene between France and Britain in which Britain is _ content to await the resii'ts of tin French policy. g.nt - The “Sunday Times” says that Cainnet will wait until the world lias assimilated the documents, in the hope that its next action will be backed by the moral force of international public opinion.