GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1923, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

AtSTItALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FRANC'O-0 ER ,M.\N NECOTIATIOXS. PARIS, Sept. 12 In order to prevent a misunderstand- ' ing regarding the nature of the present Franco-German relations it is authoritatively emphasized that there has not been any negotiations between the two Governments through the French Embassy in Berlin since the French Government refuses to negotiate until the passive resistance has been called oil, but there has been interviews between M. Deimirgereio and pi' T)r Stresscmann constituting the establishment of contact. It is anticipated the German Government will not appoint an Ambassador to Paris until negotiations can be opened. THE GERM AX PROPOSALS. LOXDOX, Sep Kb The “ Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin correspondent says the Strescniann Gov--7 eminent intended to take a first mortgage up to a definite proportion of the value on all State and certain private property. This would be transferred to a. trustee company, in the administration of which representatives of the creditor States could participate. The company could raise loans on a basis of mortgage interest, through the issue of debentures, by which Germany would be able to pay a large sum immediately, thus fulfilling France’s conditions for the evacuation of the Ruhr. Leading business men gave the Cabinet their undertakings to make the realisation of the plan possible, but it was dependent on a restoration of Germany’s jurisdiction in the Ruhr, and the re-establishment of her sovereignty in the Rhineland. The “ Westminister Gazette’s ” Berlin correspondent . says:—“ Chancellor Strescniann stated that if large immediate payments were to be secured, the acceptance of Germany's offer must be prompt. Tie offered to see the passive resistance come to an immediate end, if France accepted or provided - suitable guarantees for future evacuation.

Chancellor Stresemann, addressing representatives of the German press, said that clearly the solution of the Ruhr trouble could not he achieved solely by a continuance of the passive resistance, nor by a policy of forte. The Government would do great service if it could shorten the Ruhr dispute, hut the feelers hitherto extended showed the difficulties existing. The question of the sovereignty of the Rhineland and the regaining of the freedom of the Ruhr were decisive to Germany, who was ready to give real guarantees for it.

REPLY TO M. I’OIXC'AfRE. BERLIN, Sep. 13. tChancellor Strexeniann. replying to M. I ’oineare’s speech of September 9th. contended the pledges Germany now offered were real negotiable assets which went beyond the mortgages provided by the Treaty of Versailles, and that France would come into immediate possession of largo sums. Germany must, however, first be given the right to administer the Ruhr, and recover her sovereignty in the Rhineland. These pledges were capable of shelving the question of passive resistance provided an assurance were given that, on such an understanding, the Ruhr would he evacuated, and the Rhineland be given its former rights. If they received an assurance that everyone whose home in the Rhineland and the Ruhr would he restored, there was mi reason why the region should not regain its former zest for work, lie trusted such a settlement would he possible. The Government had been assured by leading representatives of industry and finance that they would taice tiieir share in the obligations in connection with the proposed scheme. The possibility of an understanding depended on whether a suitable atmosphere eoidd he created. He finally hoped France’s rulers would share the view that it was now neecessnrv to secure peace by a policy of justice, which was calculated to dispel national passions, and thus given guarantees for a lasting peace.