THE LIME OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1928, Page 3

THE LIME OF NATIONS.

Australian Press Assn.—United Service BIG SIX MEET. GENEVA. Sept. G. The Big Six met in Lord Cushendun’s room and discussed the evacuation oi the Rhineland. They issued a communique voting an amicable interchange of views thereon and announcing agreement on the opening of the official negotiations thereanent and agreement on the necessity for a complete settlement of the reparations problem; also the appointment therefore of a financial committee nominated by the six governments concerned, who will negotiate tlie composition, the operation and the duration of the commission of verification and conciliation.

Lord Cushendun acted ms cltainnan. forming a bridge between the FrancoGerman delegates. Nevertheless, it is definitely stated that the British standpoint, emphasising Britain, in accordance with the Balfour note could not agree to liquidating the claims ol Europe, involving receiving less than she was required to pay. United States and Britain must avoid the danger ol Franco-German financial experts reaching an agreement putting her in a disagreeable position of either accepting t sacri-

a solution necessitating a great sacri- j fice, or obstructing an agreement which ; might be represented on the basis oi . European pacification. He therefore ( pointed out while willing for British oxports to T”eot others, her position dif-' ifered from that of other powers, be-t cause she could not make financial sacrifices even at the price of agreement in other'matters. Britain already had j made sufficient sacrifices. He also in- j sisted the financial discussion must not ( include either a suggestion or implication of appeal to America for any re-' mission of British debts which Britain was able and determined to pay in full. Lord Cushendun added that he could not say when the conversations would be renewed. The first step with regard to reparations was German production of a plan. Doubtless they would lose little time in replying whether the Verifications Committee would give cognisance to affairs on the French side of "the border. If Germany desired this it would presumably be discussed when determining the personnel and functions of the Committee. Lord Cushendun, in the afteiiu’ ' received the British journalists, and intimated Hint conversations had been held' 1 as a result of Mueller's request. Tjord Cushendun disclosed that throng '- out lie had emphasised the evacuation of at least a second zone, and it should be' effected at the earliest. He haurged' M. Briand to agree because of the bargaining value. The second zone

was nearly evacuated and it was not giving much away, but would be a clear token of an allied desire to promute goodwill. Tie thought we could then proceed to consider the whole reparations problem. 11 that were airanged wo .could consider tbe evacuation of the third zone. That course was found imposible at the present, apparently oil account of the difficulties in Paris, and perhaps what was arranged, would prove equally satisfactory. He added “the outstanding feature or the sittings, after the first of which T somehow slipped into the chairmanship wife the good spirit between Muol- | ]er and Briand. and the real desire apj parent to do something to improve re- ' lotions.”