WAR DEBTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1925, Page 2

WAR DEBTS.

[Reuters Telegrams.j AIR CHURCHILL’S PLAN. PARIS, Jan. 9. M. Clemen tel in a statement to the Press, e.xoivxsed sat isl action at the goodwill shown by all of the Allies tow in conference: He counted on at least maintaining forty-two per cent, ol the reparations allotted to France. Mr Churchill regarded the Balfour Note as a guiding principle of his policy in regard to war debts; hut there was mi need to imagine lie was pledged to it. M. Clemente! sail that lie believed the agreement was not iinp-ossilde ; but must not be expects! to be realised immediately. because it was not within the scone of the conference. The newspapers anticipate that America will obtain priority from Gers mnnv’.s cash payments, in regard to her oceupaJiou expenses. The “Chicago Tribune” understands that Air Churchill suggested payment of all American claims for occupation. Expenses and reparations should lie spread over forty years, while Air Logan favours a period of twenty-four years. AGREEMENT REACHED. AIR CHURCHILL CONFIDENT. (Received this day at S a.i11.) - PARIS, Jail. 10. The agreement came as a surprise, the prospect this morning being reverse of favourable. As soon as the i(inference broke up Mr Cliurchijl hurried to his hotel where he was in conference with the British journalists, lie said it would he very unfair to believe that America was exacting repayment of the cost of occupation at the expense of Belgium. Air Churchill recalled that it was decided at the Sna Coitlercnco that Bel--gium's eight per rein, should he reduced as soon as her priority of two and a-half milliard of gold marks was received. Mr Churchill added that he was socertain that the Conference Agreement would ha ratified at the plenary session on Tuesday that he had arranged to leave Paris on Wednesday in order to attend a British Cabinet meeting on Thursday. The Chime.-Ilor of the Exchequer said he intended visiting his old Diends, :M. ('iemeiiivau on Sunday morning, and Al. Douiiieigid in the afternoon.