GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ATTITUDE OF WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, Oct. 9. Despite Mr Lloyd George’s approval of Mr ('. E. Hughes's suggestion regarding an international commission of experts to determine Germany’s capacity to pay, 'it is authoritatively ascertained that the United States Government will refuse to take any further initiative, its attitude being mat the present- European situation renders the value of such action questionable. Nevertheless, the proposal remains open, and the United States will eagerly support any similar suggestion if it is made abroad. This policy likewise applies to the recent proposals for a world economic conference.

Tbe American Government, having presented to the nations of t'.uropc tiie proposal that an international commission be formed to ascertain Germany’s ability to pay reparation, will rest on that proposition. No further steps to bring it to the attention of European nations will be made. With the present condition of mind existing in Europe, President Coolidge sees little or nothing to be gained from nil endeavour to hold a world economic conference.

[Discussing a newspaper report that President Coolidge says the United States proposal of last year for a settlement- of tbe reparation issue should be accepted by Europe, Mr Lloyd George said I hi- was extremely important. ‘Til my opinion, this plan is not too late for eoiisidera; ion, and is the best hope of a settlement of the reparation problem. Ol’ course, since the plan was broached, the ability ol Ueimany to pay is less. Tiie greater the delay the closer the situation approaches to chaos. 1 hope tiie Hughes plan will be seriously considered even at this late date. 1 repeat that it is the best plan for a successful .settleincut.'’ In a speech last November, Air C. K. Hughes, United States Secretary of State, advocated the appointment of an international commission of financial and economic experts to examine the reparation problem and determine Germany’s capacity to pay. Mr Hughes said the United States was prepared to be represented on such commission, j

THE HUGHES PROPOSAL. STATEMENT BY -MR LLOYD GEORGE. OTTAWA, Oct. 9. Mr Lloyd George, who has arrived here, informed newspaper men that he considers President Coolidge made a new proposal to solve the reparation question when lie revived the lliigtiesuggostion of last year lor an international commission to ascertain Germany's ability to pay. “It is not too late,” said Air Llovd George. “Action should he taken on the proposal at once. It should have been acted upon when it was first made. They must do something like that or chaos will follow. Mr Hughes’s proposal was made on the eve of a former Premier’s Conference, obviously with reference to that Conference. I was in Spain at the time, and saw a brief despatch enumerating the points of Alt’ Hughes s proposal, whereupon 1 immediately cabled to London that the proposal should be considered when I returned to the House of Common.-. They denied ever seeing the proposal, and even denied flint the proposal was ever made. It is one of the blunders of history that this was completely overlo -lied ; one of t ! o blunders that lean to catastrophe.'' Asked concerning his letter on Allied debts written in 1920 and published for the first time this week in London, Air Lloyd George said be knew too little of its publication to discus- it.

(Air Hughes’s proposal Was outlined by him for the first time, in a speech to the American Historical Association in November, 1922).

POINCARE’S DEAL. LONDON. October 11

The “Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent says: Our Allies may well ask themselves whether, in any deal with Hugo fit in ties they are likely to get the better of the bargain. M. Poincare may eventually discover that in refusing now to negotiate with the German Government, although the latter has withdrawn its ordinances, and in his preferring to negotiate with private and local interests, lie has not altogether been happily inspired. The validity of any agreements made under stiucli conditions without the participation cf one of the other Governments concerned, may conceivably bo challenged at a later date. It will he interesting to learn, the view taken by tip. Reparation Commission. It would he difficult to say whether the French attitude, has lieen dictated by a fear that Franco-German negotiations could not be conducted without British participation. On the other hand, it is a fact that Belgian opinii n is lint enamoured of these separate negotiations with private interests. It would not surprise me io learn that a Belgian demarche is imminent. Possibly it will take the form of a request that the Reparations Commission shall deal, without. delay with the recent proposals of the Belgian technical experts which the British and French Governments have hitherto ignored. HERR STRKSKMAXX ALARMED. (Received this dav at 9.-I5 a.m.) BERLIN. Oct. 11. The rising opposition to the Dictutoisliip Bill is”alarming Herr Stresomami who is trying to arrange a night sitting of the Reichstag, with a view to uttemping to secure passage of the Bill which requires a two-thirds majority in the House. The Conservative wing of the Chancellor's own party is in ioveil and is heading more and more towards Uie Nationalists. The voting may also he influenced bv a split among the Socialists, the members of the novaneed wing of which are likely to vote against the Government who are anxious to push the hill without debit.