BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1924, Page 2

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

IUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THE REPARATIONS QUESTION. PARIS, July 9. At the conclusion oT the Conference Mr MacDonald stated that an agreement had been reached in regard to joint- French and British proposals to he submitted to the conference on Julv 16th. in the form of a. Franeo-Bri-t'isli note, which is being forwarded to the Allies.

While Anglo-French official quarters are reticent, some newspapers guardedly indicate that the French proposal for the solution of tho difficulty over the Reparations Commission is that the American delegate, as the representative of lion-allied holders of German reparation bonds, should sit and vote with the commission on the question of the Dawes plan, thus neutralising the French President’s casting vote. They also hint that M. Hcrriot is raising the questions of inter-Allied debts and securities as far as they are affected by strategic railways and the Ruhr questions.

British diplomatic quarters consider what is wanted is to devise means to make it quite clear to France that the Reparations Commission remains to do its work and also to make it clear to would-be investors that their investment is secured.

A NGI .O-FR ENCII UN DERSTAN I) INO

AIR AIA('DONALD’S STATEMENT. LONDON, July 9. The British invitation text (now published) refers to the unanimous Allied decision to adopt the Dawes report, so the Allied Premiers have discussed measures to give it eflect. Aa the obligations on Germany would he beyond those in the Peace terms, they must he embodied in a document signed by the Powers responsible for their enforcement Germany requires assurance imposed on her, shall he withdrawn. The agreement should not, in form, he a treaty modifying that of Versailles, hut a protocol.

Al. lIERIUOT’S STATEMENT. LONDON, July 10. The “Daily Express” correspondent says: Premier Hcrriot, alter a final conversation with Air MacDonald, declared: ‘This is the best day for the Entente Cordiale since the Armistice. It is the beginning of a new era in Europe. 1 am very satisfied.” M. Hcrriot said there was every reason for satisfaction, for tho optimism produced hv the conversation would make it most likely that lie would secure a majority in the Senate, which yesterday appeared most problematical.

Mr -MacDonald told Pressmen prior to leaving Paris, “AYe are not magicians, hut simply two practical men, determined to create kraneo-British ship. AYe are not trying to appear to he friends. AYe really are friends. AYo have succeeded in making a substantial beginning at removing a complicated series of I 1 ’raneo-British misunderstandings which have grown tip during the past few years.” As Air AlucDonald’s train steamed nut- from Paris, Al. Hcrriot speaking to French ollicials. said:—“MacDonald is a line fellow. He lias done everything possible. AA e worked specially hard. The agreement was completed. AYe will enter the Conference with, a single programme." Mr .MacDonald’s 21 hours in Paris were most strenuous. He conferred with Al. Hcrriot almost continuously from the time of his arrival till two in the morning, and resumed at ten a.i11., continuing till one p.m., when he lunched with a distinguished company, including Al. Poincare. Al. Briand, M. Barihou, M. Painleve, and M. Nolley. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent emphasises the importance of ;i passage in the Note, implying that inter-Allied debts and security came within the scope of the conversations. ’ < V

AN AMERICAN DOUBT. WASHINGTON, July 9. While withholding official comment pending a complete analysis of the situation; Home Government officials are inclined to regard the arrangement between AL Hcrriot and Air -MacDonald, wTerobv the United States would he given a full vote on the Reparations Commission, as one which will not work from the viewpoint of the l mled States.