GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1923, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION.

FRENCH PAPERS COMMENT.

(Received this day at 12 noon). PARIS, Aug. 13. The “Matin” says if Germany's capacity is only fourteen milliards of gold marks, England will take all. If twenty milliards, Engand will have fourteen milliards, and generously leave six milliards to he divided between the victims of the war. The note shows to an unexpected degree the moral weakness which is coming over British leaders, which is only comparable with the physical weakness into which Germany has fallen. 'llie “Echo Do Paris” remarks the note is a supreme appeal to France to adopt the British viewpoint, hut its

uselessness is well known. Having lost all hope of getting any money from the Reich it is from us England i- asking money. We are all wondering whether wo are dreaming, this is just the kind of thing Lord Curzon should have used for Germany. The “Petit Parision” says we must wait for further conversation* t,> 1,,. able to judge the true spirit of the 'British ( lovernment. The “Journal” asks how could the British leaders allow themselves to he drawn into testing the legality of (lie Ruhr occupation. We understand plainly the object of the manoeuvre is a question of preparing for one of those legal arbitrations to force France, in case of a refusal to find something saleable. France will not fall into the trap. The “Oeuvre” says England has written an unaeeeplahle programme. It, is for I'ranee to oppose another programme to her own.

AMERICAN' COMMENT. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) NEW'YORK. Aug. 13. I he New York “Evening Post” commenting on tin- British note declared the above specific items in Lord Cnrzpn’s note stand out. the surprise and protest of the British Government at the refusal of her late Allies to so much as consider those items. France and Belgium simply wave them aside. This is not an attitude that will win approval of the rest of the world. Britain is unquestionably rigid, in taking an opposite course. The “Sun” and “Globe” comment similarly stating clearly there is nothing left for responsible British statesmanship if argument fails, hut to extricate the nation hv the best means available from the inevitable economic ruin which is sure to come about if the French course is much longer tacitly accepted. The French franc is quoted at live and a half cents, the lowest- on record. Various French municipal bonds have also fallen several points, as a direct result of of the week cud’s political developments.

NEW GERMAN CABINET. (Received this day at 12.4 b p.m.) BERLIN. August 13. Herr Streseman lias formed a. Coalition Cabinet- composed of Socialist, Centre, and Peoples parties. He undertakes Foreign Affairs himself. A GERMAN MOVE. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) BERLIN, August • Gernlany is stopping deliveries in kind to all Allies.