GERMAN HOSTILITY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 3

GERMAN HOSTILITY

TO ALLIED 'REPARATION DEM'ANDS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegi aph—Copyright). PARIS, May 26. To-day was expected to be a fateful day at the Reparations Conference but no decision was reached, and probably there will bo none to-morrow, so that the great day may be Monday. Many think that the historic decision will merely be a failure to agree. Another viewpoint is expressed by a prominent expert, viz., “The dooi is not yet closed, but somebody has stolen the handle.” A virtual deadlock has arisen in connection with' the Reparations. The Germans are prepared to reconsidoi the reservations if the Allies will return to Mr Owen Young’s basis of 102 J millions sterling being paid by Germany each year; whereas the Allies assert that their demands represent their irreducible minimum. The'. point out that the rescaling of the payments —which rescaling the Gercall “juggling,” is really devised to facilitate Germany’s task.

It is believed .that Mr Owen Young is disposed to side with the Germans in insisting that Belgium’s claim to twelve and a half millions sterling as compensation for the valueless German wartime currency issued in Belgium should not he tacked on to the bill, but should be negotiated for separately and diplomatically.

Some of the closest observers arc inclined to think that the German resistance will wilt in the face of the Allies’ firmness, especially in view ol all that a settlement means to Germany in the direction of stability in finance and the evacuation of too Rhineland. BERLIN, May 25. A “jugglers’ trick” is the term unanimously applied by the German newspapers and official circles to the new reparations formula the instant rejection of which is demanded. The storm centres around the proposed antedating the ordinary Dawes Plan payments and the first Young plan payments are made payable almost simultaneously.

“This,” it is urged, “is asking Germany to pay ninety millions sterling for nothing.” >• • The Radical German press suggests that an ultimatum should be sent that the Conference must accept Germany’s offer, hut the press admits the conference has tlic power to determine Germany’s fate for generations.

Nevertheless dispassionate German commentators decline to admit that the breakdown of the conference is imminent.

Dr Vogler, while en route to Berlin. admitted that they must welcome the American efforts at compromise, which favoured Germany.