GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULE ASSOCIATION. .MORE CONCILIATORY. PARIS, Aug. 20. M. Poincare, speaking at Charievillo, indicated that the negotiations would probably lead to a better understanding between Britain and I'rauee. Ho said that their union effected during the cataclysm could not possibly become useless, adding: “As far as we ate concerned, wo would consider as criminal any act or speech which would tend to trouble or weaken that union. Me shall continue to use all our efforts to bring our policy nearer to that of out Allies.”

M. Poincare said he thought that Britain was wrong in attributing her unemployment to the occupation of the Ruhr. There was more unemployment in Britain prior to the occupation than to-day, while the latest commercial statistics showed that, during seven months, France had been in the Ruhr, Britain’s exports and imports had surpassed in value and volume those of the corresponding period of 1922. He did not mean to say that Britain was benefiting by the occupation, but he had a right to say that the occupation had not increased unemployment, nor did he think it was a happy argument to contest the legality of the step that France had taken. It would he easy to reply hv referring to the text ot the treaty or to the former declarations oi th<' Allies. including England; but rather than indulge in a controversy of that sort, ii would he hotter to seek some practical solution of problems from which they could not escape. Chancellor Strcsemann, in the Reichstag, had reproached France with imitating Napoleon, and with irritating Germany by Imperialistic provocation ; but, was it from France that defiance came '? Who was it that refused to surrender those responsible for the war. "Do not touch tho Treaty of Versailles,” declared M. Poincare, in conclusion, "hut choose only a peaceful path, and make others respect the engagements they have undertaken.’