The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th., 1923. THE WAR SETTLEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th., 1923. THE WAR SETTLEMENT.

Tiib possibilities of a. settlement of the central matter to determine the Great War, the arrangement for the payment of reparations from Germany, are more hopeful at the moment than they have been for long past. Tho meeting of the British and French Ministers, though unofficial, seems to have paved the way to a better, or rather we should say, a clearer understanding between the two nations. The German Chancellor has been expounding a. new attitude for ids nation, and there was in it. evidently, a great deal mote than mere oratory. Conditions in Germany have drifted to such a point, that a wait and see policy, can no longer, with safety, be adopted. To save the position of the country, Germany must net, and this occasion for action in a. definite way is what gives rise to the hopes long deferred that a war settlemnt is in sight. As an exchange has put it, it is immensely important to the whole world and not least to the countries of the British Empire that there are some prospects of an agreement between Germany and the Allies on the subject of reparations. Stub an agreement iiiignt- bring little in the way of immediate financial or economic benefits to Britain or tbe rest of the Empire. It would, however, tend progressively to establish conditions in wliiub all nations would be liettcr placed than at present to attack tbe problems of rccbnstruc’tioti in tlieir widest

scope. The main points brought out in speeches delivered by Cabinet Ministers (luring the last day or two are that Germany is piepared to abandon passive resistance in the Ruhr, and to make payments and give guarantees of further payments in consideration of a progressive relaxation, of the pressure

France is now imposing in that region. Some messages take an anything but 'optimistic view of the outlook. Tt is suggested that France may continue the deadlock by refusing even the most limited application of the principle of give and take. Evidently, however, detailed proposals in keeping with those outlined by German Ministers would create such ail opportunity of approaching a settlement as France would be most unwise to neglect. There is. ol course, no question of a full settlement being reached immediately. The Allies are unable meantime to agree amongst themselves on a, method of determining bow much Germany is ultimately to pay. This question and some others probably will have to stand over. Even i'i partial settlement, however, if it substitutes smooth working for strife, inay do a great deal to clear the international atmosphere. As affairs stand, the reparations tangle is not only disordering the financial and economic affairs of European and other nations, bin is providing motives for a new and threatening competition in armaments. In proportion as orderly conditions are established and passions cool, it will become more difficult for jingoistic national leaders to justify the maintenance of armaments on such a. scale that, they are rather a provocation and a menace than a safeguard. Although its principal immediate benefits probably would go io France and Belgium, and perhaps in a measure to lt-iy, a F.'ovi.-ioiial settlement with Germany is highly desirable from the standpoint, cf the British Empire, because it would tend to establish peace on firmer foundations and conduce to an all-round improvement in national and international conditions.