GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1923, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

Australian and n.z. caulk association. A FAVOURABLE LAIRRESSIO.V (Roe«;red this (lay at 9.2,3 a.m.) LONDON, Aug M. Tho “Financial Times” says the Note has created a most favourable impression in hanking and cninmcrrinl circles. The French peoplo are still ignorant of the facts, but if world opinion succeeds in convincing them that the Ruhr adventure is doomed to failure and that the French Government will never he aide to honour its promises and investors must face a heavy loss, when the French Ministry will crash, and the situation will he revealed in a new light, and if the chance of Allied understamlfng is not thereby assured, it will he unreasonably greater.

BRITISH OFFICIAL VIKW. I Received this dav at 8.30 a.in.) LONDON'. Am: 11. The “Central News’’ Issues the following as tlit* authoritative official British view There is no tenderness throughout the British Ktntiire lor Oernmny. The German Empire is dear! and forgotten, hut the Govermnont believes that if France is out to maintain an indefinite stranglehold on Germany then the complete overthrow of the economic system of Europe, if not of the whole world, is certain. I hero • is more than a. suspicion that the Fren.lt police, at present, aims at the isolation of Britain in Ettrone. lmt the Government is seeking, not the isolation of France, lint Iter co-operation. If that fails, ohviottslv Britain will try her hand at the isolation game. England rmiv then try to win over Ttalv to detach Belgium from supporting France in the Ruhr and bring into line with her Holland, Switzerland. Sweden and Norway, who are suflering equally with Britain, from the effects of the French policy. Apart from immediate aims in Europe, the dominating note of the British Government's policy is ultimate co-operation between Britain and America for a world settlement. No immediate sensational response from the Fnited States need tie expected, hut Mr Baldwin Ixdieves that Europe cannot lie saved unless the American people ioin the British in saving it. I’nfortuiiately there is nothing to indicate that we are likely to receive anything hut practically a complete rejection of our suggestions from Baris. This is far from the case elsewhere. To Italv there is the concession to Mussolini's <ift stated belief that debts and reparations go hand in hand; to Servia and Roiimaiiia there is the guarantee that Britain will approve of no modification of the Spa conference percentages; lo America there is the acceptance of Air Hughes' impartial enquiry; to other countries there is the economic appeal of a restored Germany and a peaceful Europe. That is the British appeal. Tf it falls on deaf ears in Baris it will he for Britain to net.

The general anticipation in diplomatic circles is that the action will consist of sending a reply to Germany, possibly with the Italians’ and others’ approval, and a tribunal "ill he called on to decide Germany’s capacity to pay. Ail International Tribunal might he asked to say whether the occupation of the Ruhr could continue legally, and lastly there is the.* League of Nations. ft s'totil 1 he recalled that the Socialists, who brought about, the fall ol Herr Chino, demand Germany’s entry into the League.

Al. POINCARE'S SUGGESTION

(Received this day at 12.-Id p.m.) BARIS, August 11. The “Relit J'arisieii” says that if Britain is really trying to find a solution acceptable to all the Allies ] <*rhaps she will find it in AI. Poincare's suggestion, namely, agreeing to the immediate payment by Germany of her dohLs and completing the reconstruction of the devastated regions, deferring for later consideration the remainder of the German debt and the interAllied debts. It may he necessary to return to this equitable suggestion when Britain sees that the path she is ut,.v folio" ing leads jto a hljind * ai.ey. The “Figaro" says the note is tonttyr.V to the Versailles Treaty. Germany no longer wants the Reparation Commission. 1 udoubtedly because it has not succeeded in classing the ..'French and Belgians as minorities. “I.e Eclair” says that England ((includes that Belgium already had too much. France must pay out and must not, receive.

The “Betit .Journal” states that England seems to mix up the two kinds o| debts, which have nothing in ((million, namely, the war debt, which we do not intend to repudiate and the German debt which represents so much Allied bloodshed.

BERLIN. Aug. II

The “Vos-iche Zeitung” Haris correspondent reports tfisit the French Govermiient is considering officially the announcing o( the limitation ot the Pnhr action provided tin* German Cabinet offers sufficient guarantees. Regarding reparations France realising the unconditional abandonment, ol passive resistance is impossible Ins nose it prejudices beloreband the position of nnv Government.

I.ONGfNG TO RET CRN

LONDON, Aug. 14

The “Daily Express” Doom (orrespondent states that the ex-Crown Prince, interviewed, said: “I am longing to return to the Fatherland, and I consider this is only my right as a German, without any political considerations."