THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1928, Page 2

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

FRANCE’S ANSAVER. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, Sept. 3. The German Chancellor, Dr Alueller’s request for the Rhineland’s evacuation is already answered by French opinion according to the Alorning Post’s Paris correspondent. The viewpoint of AI. Poincare’s Government is that the occupation cannot be renounced, without a compensating guarantee, for the occupation is itself the guarantee of the fulfilment not only of the military clauses of the A r ersailles Treaty, but of the ipaymelit of reparations. AVliile the military part of the bargain is officially regarded as being fairly carried out, the reparations are only just beginning in full force as modified under the Dawes Plan, and the German press is already complaining of tlieso as an intolerable burden. How then, it is asked, 'can France be expected to surrender her bold, without any alternative guarantee? Dr Stresemann (German Foreign Minister) himself foreshadowed this idea at Thoiry. It may suit Germany now to forget, but there is no other way. If the Americans are unwilling to initiate a scheme for taking up Wie bonds of German railways, or of some other stable form of German property, then the Germans must devise some other scheme, giving France security against the cessation of payment by Germany, or the cessation of the demand for payment by the United States. No amount of highflown talk from Germany will alter this attitude, on which France is unanimous'. GENEVA, Sept. 4. Chancellor Mueller, in a'Statement to German newspaper men revealed that Germany, months ago, through the Am'bassdors of the interested countries, requested the complete evacuation of the Rhineland, and is now awaiting the result of tho request.