LATEST CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1924, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Mil -MACDONALD'S LETTER. UV TRI.KGItAI'U —I’ItKSS ASSN., COfVJUCHT. LONDON, -March 2. The ‘-.Sunday Express"*-', says that further correspondence between Mr MacDonald and M. Boincare will be issued mi Sunday. It. is understood that Mr MacDonald is of the opinion that Era nee's security problem can he solved hy progressive neutralisation and demilitarisation under the auspices of the League of Nations. He argues that France must have reparations, but they must he placed ais-a reasonable figure.

y|. Poincare's letter consists of six or seven pages. It is understood it repeals that all that France, wants is twcuv-six milliards of gold marks foi ifie restoration ol the devastated legions. plus what is required to rgpay the Allies money borrowed. The “Observer's” diplomatic conA^ [sunlent expresses the opinion Tiuit#h- * neath the formal stillness there is a new and more friendly note in which M. Poincare speaks to the British Premier. The “Sunday Times'’ Pans correspondent states the letters emphasise the desire of both Governments to art«ve at an understanding f o strengthen tlie Entente and foi'tifv the position of the League of Nations. OH ) ECTION TO FRENCH POLICY. LONDON, March 3. _ ■ Mr Ramsay MacDonald has sent* M. Peincm-e a letter which the newspapers, declare is one of the frankest and most unequivocal documents ever sent by Urn nead of one Government, to another. It marks a great innovation m diplo-

matic exchanges. All' MacDonald wrote that “he desired to prepare the way for a more complete mutual understanding, by recitimg without reserve, the difficulties^^. hv which h.» is laced. He said t-boT it was evidently widely felt in England that, contrary to the 3 ersailles lieatj France was endeavouring to create a situation hy which she would gain what she had failed to gain during the Peace negotiations. Such a policy could only periietuate uncertainty and dangers, and finally destroy whatever temporary si rarity France might gain. Britain’s position was entirely ..different. Her economic existence was gravely..endangered, owing to acute, persistent dislocation of the markets of Europe, occasioned mainly by the uncertainty of the Franco-German relations, and the ultiii ate uncertainty of I’ianeo-Britisli relation*. The people of England efi with anxiety what was apparently the determination of France to ruin Got many, and to dominate the Continent without consideration of Britain s reasonable interest, and of the .'future eon sequences to Europe. They felt appteheusive of the large military and atrial establishments which France maintained. They were disturbed by • he merest that- France showed in tmliiarv organisation in the new States in Central Europe. Finally, they asked why France, who would finance all these activities, was disregarding tho British taxpayers, who lmd to pay upwards of thirty millions interest on _ Britain’s American debt and had also-to jay interest on the debt that I<ranco , . <ve t! Britain. The Fiench people det.ireii security. The British cherished a similar idea, hut, whereas Franco comeiveil security as security against Germany clone, the British Empire ga vt the word security a far wider .significance.”

What wo desire, ho says, “is so-

nority. ••The emblem of security is not merolv a EveuiTi problem. Similarlysjji.no French desire reparations conceive mainly to ho payments iroin Germany. The British ’ ardently desire to -repair the devastation of the war, but their interest in devastation is in _ •;fie wider sense of the term—in riiiffSa* markets, vanishing purchasing power, declining shipping and foreign trade, in fallen currencies, and in unemployment.”

T he letter concludes with an earnest appeal for Eraneo-British co-opoiation, ami mutual sacrifice, in order to euro Die ills from which both peoples are suffering.

Mr MaeDnald says in hi* letter that he sees little prospect of their being able to attain an agreement in regard to the Ruhr, Rhineland, and Palntin- .- U- unless they first are able, hy a I rank and courageous discussion,

achieve some unanimity in regard to Die essential purposes whereto these problems are merely suhsidiaiy, for linen he (Mr MacDonald) considers their relations in their wider sense, ho i'.jc.- no feel that their essential object is so divergent- that their task must bo to establish confidence, which is only achievable by allaying the international suspicions and anxieties. Whether this can ho partially achieved by local demilitarisation and neutralisation and i v the creation between certain states of bonds of neutralised territory, under a mutual, or even a. collective guarantee and supervision. or b.v some other

means, is n matter for careful consideration in detail, he believes that tho League of Nations by the discussion of eventual action might play an important part therein. The assent and

goodwill of every European country must be enlisted in support of this policy, which can only be initiated if bran.c and England are agreed. If bianco and England can but agree, the co-operation of the other LRjopoau countries will lie assured, and it will ho pi-sihle for them to approach the United States as a United Europe, anxioils by nnitunl sacrifice ami arrangemint to cine the ills of the people. M. POINCARE’S R.I'APLY.

M. Poincare has expressed keen s'oo at this very frank and loiter. He said: “I am ready to begin will, you an examination of these great out.- landing problems. I shall enter tin icon in the spirit of conciliation and Soyahv viih which you are animated.” M. Poincare insists that prance does t:oi dream of the political or economic, annihilation of Germany. France, he s.ivs j.s not so mad as to reduce her debtot to poverty.”

•‘Among the errors concerning ourselves which a section of the British people entertain."’ he says, “the most iiw'ouip tchensiblo one. which most saddens tt*. is that regarding military armaments. Are there really Englislir,i..'i who suppose France ftatrieidnl preparations against their i oentry ! < uir military and aerial establishments ate extensively designed to defend us against an attempt for Geiman revenge.” M. Poinenvobs reply to Mr MacDonald concludes by dwelling on eofsitv of a Eranco-British entente. He declares: —“The v.-hole of Europe and of humanity would have to pay tlm mice of Emnco-British dissensions. MACDONALD SATISFIES FRENCH. PARIS. March 3. The correspondence between Mr R* McDonald a.ud M. Poincare reached tlie Paris papers too late tor oESrspial __ comment, hut- it enjoyed a great rcceptb ,r, 1)v the public, owing to Mr MacDonald's assurances of friendship for Fimih’o. ami bis insi-stoneo on Anglo- ]* i (‘v.cU co-ovoration.