GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1924, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. REPARATIONS. Ulan assailed. BERLIN, April ]B. The Government is taking immediate steps to construct machinery to give effect to the experts’ plan. The Economic; Council and tho railway heads are conferring concerning means to mortgage State and private, property. Tlie experts’ plan has become u big election issue in Germany. Dr. Helffcrich, leader of the Nationalist Party, bitterly assails the plan which lie describes in the Preussieho Zeitimg” as a “second Versailles.” The Socialist paper “Vorwnerts” appeals for support for tile plan, declaring that rejection will make the Reich outcast in the eyes of tho world. FRANCE AND PENALTIES.

NEW YORK, April 18. The Paris correspondent of the “New York Times” says the intimations by the French that if they leave the Ruhr they will expect British assistance for re-entry in the event of the Germans’ default under the conditions in the experts’ report, also an assurance from Britain that the British fleet would l>e used against Germany, have brought intimations that the British Government will enter into no such bargain. The senii-official paper “Le Temps” has been insisting that it will ho wisest tor the French- to keep their hands free for eventualities. The French will make a big issue of the question of penalties in the event of German default. It has openly intimated that the French are displeased with the quick German acceptance of the experts’ plan. The correspondent understands that tho French expected the Germans would ask for changes relative to the guarantees and control, but had hoped tne Germans would accept with qualifications, thus enabling the French more naturally also to indicate the need for alterations. The onus of such requests will now fall upon Franco. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT. PARIS, April 18. The Berlin correspondent of the “Matin” says that the parties of the Right intend to contest the Ministry’s acceptance of the experts’ reports, contending it has no authority to do so without consulting the Reichstag.

EUROPE’S CHANCE. LONDON, April 18. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, speaking at the annual conference of the Independent Labour Party, said ho was glad to find that the country was behind him in the view that the experts’ reports ought to he taken as a whole. There were things in them that he disliked, hut if they began to raise details. France. Belgium and Germany would do the same and they would he exactly where they started. The Prime Minister added: “Here is Europe’s chance. Put it into operation all at. once and all together. Thou when that is done, go on and finish the job, and bring peace and security to the Continent.” Ho urged that their attitude should he to accent Germany’s word. He pointed out that the greatest. danger Germany now offered was industrial deterioration, not the danger of arms. GERMAN VTKAVS. BERLIN, (April 21. Marx (Chancellor), Streseniann (Foreign Minister), and Luther (Minister of Finance), interviewed separately, declared Germany was prepared to do her utmost to carry out the experts’ reports conditional on the independence and freedom of the occupied area being icstored. Schaet interviewed, stated the experts reports were based oil economic, and financial principles, of which the accuracy was incontestable. The experts over-estimated Germany s financial capacity, but despite the heavy burden of reparations Germany was offered economic unity and independence if accepted, the importance therool must not. he overlooked. Helffcrich (ex-Ministcr of Finance) attacked tile experts reports and said the German people were lost for ever if they take this curse upon their shoulders. It means a fresh signature to the obligations which cannot he fulfilled.

NO CONFIDENCE IN GERM ANT. (Rereivod this day at 8 a.m.i LONDON, April 22 A Paris corresopndent reports that French opinion is generally disinclined to share Mr MacDonald's confidence in German sense ol honor. The “Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent says that M. Poincare is sending a. note to M. liarthou, stating that only when I lie Allies have agreed to what measure should be taken 1 ' Germany fails to carry out the osperis' programme will I* ranee cons ult to abandon her present position to Lite Ruhr. The “Dailv Telegraph's" political observer states that France asks for a definite allied agreement, on the "consequences of a possible Cornian default and insecurity. So lar as this is connected with economics and finance at. Poincare is willing to co-operate in the scheme subject to these res ‘ rations. AKUKSTFI) FOR TREASON. HER LIN, April 21 The editor of the "Rote Fahne,” a Communist journal, hits been arrested on a charge of treason, lie published a description of the clandestine military training in Pomerania.