GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH POLICY. LONDON", Aug. 25. Sir C. Lloyd-Grneme, speaking at Aberdeen referred to the British Government’s policy on the reparations. He declared the Britsih case would never represent a pro-German view. Britain’s objects were to obtain the maximum amount from Germany in the most rapid and ellective way. and the establishment of stable conditions in Europe. Tilt? most important guarantee would be the effective control of German finance, without which it would he impossible to stabilise the German exchange. There must also Ik-, concurrently with the settlement of the reparations, the establishment of an effective security against aggression. Referring to Empire development, he said the Dominions had vast resources, requiring settlers to develop them. This would bring wealth and prosperity to loth the Dominions and Britain. Ihe greater acceleration given now. the gentler would be the future advantage.

1 OR 1) BIRKENHEAD ON POSITION. NEW YORK, Aug. 25. At Williamstown. Massachusetts, Lord Birkenhead delivered his final lecture to the Institute of Politics. He declared that he hoped and believed the nations that saved civilisation would unite in the greater task of winning peace. He appealed to the self-interest of the United States in the crisis, deprecating its altruistic viewpoint in world affairs. Finally, he showed how much the abandonment of the isolation policy would benefit the United States. The speaker condemned the occupation of the Ruhr, but said the future must tell whether the French or British wenright in that controversy. Nevertheless, he saw in a continued occupation no promising prospect of Britain recovering war debts from her war associates. “Under the circumstances,” he said, “we can say to Europe: Continue if you will the ruinous courses to which you are committed. The British people will appeal to their own people to develop their own markets. Britain will concentrate its own finances and resources upon its own Dominions. by extending and encouraging colonial markets. But if we did this, it would mean that wo recoil from the larger task of statecraft, after having won a. great struggle. 1 hope the nations of the world will realise that their individual interest roi|uires some common effort to lx- made to alleviate the misery under which Europe groans, and to which she may succumb even. Shall we. then, have won the greatest peace in history f” BRITISH LABOUR’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, A.u gust A joint mooting of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, and the Executive of the Socialist Party passed a resolution deeply deploring France's intention to icontinuc her military occupation of the Rohr, and urging its rejection, and an impartial inquiry into Germany’s capacity to pay, also the fixation of total reparations. Tito resolution appeals to the French Labour-Socialist movement to work for a more conciliatory policy for a settlement of the reparations problem by negotiations, on the ground that, if the despair due to the occupation leads to violence and loss of ile. all Europe would sufler, and the world would again see the spectacle of brute force failing to realise what eommonsenso and goodwill might achieve by negotiation.

After hearing a report on the Ruhr by Mr Shaw. M.l’.. the meeting deej tired the- people of the Ruhr would support a reasonable settlement, d treated as free men and women. The menace of military oppression should lie temoved. It was believed that the passive resistance, was not due to Berlin’s behest, hut was a spontaneous people's manifestation against military dictatorship. The meeting urged I he British Government to persist in its effort to bring about negotiations tor a- final settlement of the. reparations question between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and Germany,

THE BELGIAN NOTE. BRUSSELS, August 25. Tho Belgium Note lias been sent to Parts'. It comprises 35 pages. It points out that definite information is now forthcoming as to the sums due to the different Allies, and that it would .bo best now to abandon the. system of notes, and adopt direct conversations between the British. French Belgian and Italian Ministers. ITALIAN CRITICISM. ROME. August 24. The Italian newspapers generally disapprove of M. Poincare's reply. The “Tribuna.” sees no hope of a speedy iVoonciliation bet wdcii Franco and England. The “Corrierc d' Italia,” a Government organ, says France’s intention is to remain in the Rohr until site is paid, even if it means halt a century of occupation. It. sheer hypocrisy, it. says, for M. Poincare to pretend that France i s not seeking annexation.

The “Enni-a” says: Af. Poincare's self-evident policy is to create an independent Rhineland, with the Saar included. which will eventually -become great French industrial republic.

MR. 1.1.0 YD GF.ORGK'S COMMENT. LONDON. August 21. Mr Lloyd George, commenting mi tho French Note, said: Al. Poincare regards this exchange of bolstered notes as a pillow fight, and is quite prepared to continue in order to gain time, while the real struggle is developing to its destined end. Prominence is given here to the fact that the reply is courteous. Tt is significant oi the pitiable condition whereto the Entente lias been brought hv those maladroit negotiations. GERMAN TAXATION. BERLIN, Aug. 24. Dr Hilfcnling (Minister of Finance) declared: -‘Brutal taxation will he our policy. This Government will he the last, one on a parliamentary basis if we fail. The country then will fall into the hands of adventurers. \Ye propose to use dictatorial powers.” LONDON, Aug The “Daily Express's” Berlin correspondent states: The farmers, l< mlowners, and industrialists are aghast at Dr Hilferding's proposals, deeliring they cannot even pay the present taxes. Workers arc- being dismissed in many industries. The majo.-ity of the printing works are closing. , .'am-ais shortly will he stopped, be\i ' the managers cannot make ends n cel. Some Berlin hanks are closing, rial there are signs of stagnation cveryv. here BRITAIN C'LAIAfS INTEREST. PARIS. Aug. 25. “1.0 Temps” says: Britain’s claim for 5 per cent, interest on the debt to her means an annual payment of « 40.000,000 gold marks yearly. As neither France nor Italy will pay tin till they have recovered the equivalent fiom Germanv. how does Britain hope to exact tiiis interest from Germany ■" addition to the reparations due to all the Allies.

HERR STRESEMANN’S POLICY BERLIN. Aug. 25. Herr Stresemann.'tlie Premier, in hi* speech to the Main Committee of the Reichstag, insisted that ns long as the French pursued their present policy m the Rhineland and the Ruhr, the way

would be barred to any practical solution that- Germany could accept. He declared tbc present German Government adhered fully to Herr Cuno, the late Premier’s memorandum of June 7th. to which to their regret, no reply had been received from the Allied Powers. He admitted that the possibilities of Germany’s economic forces were potentially good, and asserted tho Allies need only accept the principles laid down in the Cuno memorandum in order to find, in collaboration with Ger- f many a way of turning Germany’s last < remaining source of strength into a real guarantee of Germany’s fulfilment of the reparations obligations. He denied Germany deliberately had depreciated here currency. The Government were not afraid of the confiscation of property, if necessary, hut they hoped such a drastic step would he unnecessary He would not discuss M. Poincare's Note, but if the terms of tlio British Note were carried out, it would be possible for the nations to live peaceably. Germany was ready to make heavy sacrifices, even to pawning some of her industries, in order to regain her freedom, but not the Rhineland and the Ruhr. Germany was not desirous of smashing the Entente, hut wished to work in harmony with England and France. GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. ’Received this day at 8 a.m.l PARIS. Aug 25. M. Poincare left to-day for the unveiling of monuments in tne Department of Meuse. It is expected that ho will answer Herr Stresemunn. whose speech has given satisfaction in France. , . . , “Le Journal" says the speech is not aggressive and shows a real desire for a solution of the reparations problem. “Le Matin" declares Stresemnnn leaves the door wide open for conversations with tho Allies, and even with France. CYCLING RACE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) GENEVA. Aug 25. The world’s amateur road cycling championship was won bv Perrati (Italy) in five hours three seconds heating Reiehenlorger (Switzerland!. The course was 164 kilometres from Zurich to Baisel and hack. Twelve nations were represented in tho race.