ALLIED CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1924, Page 2

ALLIED CONFERENCE.

[Reuterb Telegrams.]

Fl-LL CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY.

LONDON, Julv 21

The chief delegates decided it was impossible to summon a plenary conference before Wednesday. The issue of a formal invitation to Germany will be deferred until then. Though agreed to in principle M. llerriot is, however, saving that be must consult bis judicial advisers in order not to prejudice the Treaty of Versailles. An element in the conference would, however, prefer Germany to be simply asked to assent to the Dawes plan. If the invitation goes oil Wednesday the Germans should lie iu London uu Sunday. The real crisis will then come.

The committee on railway control has given up hope of an agreement and divergent views will lie presented at the plenary sittings. The French are insistent on the necessity ot securing the safety of the occupation troops hy diluting the Germans with five thousand French and Belgians; Imt the Rritisb experts still consider the inilitaiv safeguards ample. It was decided that tho Allied binmice Ministers shall meet the Americans and British to ascertain their views regarding guarantees for the loan.

The afternoon session was devoted to the consideration of when it would I K . possible to commence the economic evacuation of the Ruhr. 'I he British suggest September, but France says that this is too soon. The Reparations Commission may he asked to suggest a compromise. MacBONAT.I) ON LEAGUE'S I’LAN. LONDON. July 21. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in his letter to the League of Nations, on July 10 (re armament and peace pact), emphasises that delay would lie inseparable from deciding which State is tin' aggressor in any war. Mr MacDonald doubts whether four days will suffice therefor. Further delnj.s would ho involved in bringing into operation the League’s proposed measures. whether military of economic. Even then the sum-linn of all nations, thereto was so precarious that none felt justified in reducing its armaments. In this connection, he says, Britain fears that the Treaty will involve :m increase, not a decrease of armaments.

Mr MacDonald quotes Canada’s comment that while for the purposes of action she zonally belongs to the North American area, she still shares the Empire’s responsibility. Canada is of the opinion that it would lie most difficult to overcome such a conllicting position. Mr MacDonald says that, in view of its many defeats Britain does not favour the adoption of the 'I reaty dralled last- year.