ANGLO-FRENCH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1924, Page 2

ANGLO-FRENCH AFFAIRS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AIR AIACDONALIVS DISCLOSURES

i CHI KALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON, June 23. In the House of Commons, replying to Air Baldwin, Air MncDonald said that the purpose of liis interview with AI. Herriott was to discuss the technical arrangement necessary to put the experts’ reparation reports into operation, and also to discuss certain matters in which Anglo-French co-operation seemed desirable in order to promote security and peace in Europe. That must he taken to mean that it was intended to make no exclusive arrangements between any two powers. The discussion would be reported to the Premiers of Belgium and Italy, both AI. Herriott and himself (Air AlacDonald) being anxious that no decision should lie presented to those countries as already taken. Tile talk was a preliminary to mi Intel-Allied Conference in London probably on the 16th. July. Ho added that the Dominions’ Governments had been fully acquainted with the Imperial policy j-s regard Dawes’s report and the developments, as they had replied satisfactorily.

Replying to AH Lloyd George, Air AlacDonald said that it was most desirable that America should ho represented at the Allied Conference on July 1. A communication to that effect would ho made to America immediately. The representation of Germany thereat was also discussed at Chequers. Obviously an Intor-AHlied agreement was firstly essential in regard to what they were prepared to do to give effect to the experts’ report. It was felt the report imposed certain obligations on Germany somewhat outside the obligations of the Treaty of Versailles. The question remaining for consultation with Belgium and Italy was how best they could make Germany a willing partner itt sharing those obligations. The business of the Allied Conference would he the Dawes report, lie also hoped to arrange other outstanding Anglo-French matters.

In reply to other questions, Air AlacDonald said that the question of tho Allies’ shares in payments from Germany certainly would not he re-ope.ned. lie gave an assurance that tho Dominions would he completely consulted, so they might fed they wore partners with the Government in everything the Government did. lie emphasised that in settling the question of putting the Dawes report into operation, the Government would take no responsibility that Britain or the Dominions would he mulcted in seeing it carried out.

Replying to Air Lloyd George, Air AlacDonald further said that Germany would he asked to come in and make arrangements for putting the Dawes Report into operation. PARIS, Juno 23. A semi-official statement regarding the AlaeDouald-liorriott interview says: “The opinion is held that in the long run, Germany’s presence on a basis quality :it the proposed London Conference will he necessary, if anything is to he settled.. The Nationalists profess to see in the policy of M. 1 lef iotl nothing hut the policy of ALT** Poincare, with gentle words instead of briisqueiioss.”