WILL NOT PAY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1932, Page 5

WILL NOT PAY

GEKMANY’S STAND

THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) >, LONDON, June 29. S The best that can now be „said of I the situation at Lausanne is that fire hours of discussion between the French and the German delegates did not end their irreconcilable opposition)'Mr: MacDonald, at any rate, was l abhy to say: “I am pleased!” The French Premier, M. Herriot’s comment was; “The atmosphere is not too bad.” Tine remainder of the French delegation, however, are unrelievediy pessimistic. One view expressed at Lausanne is that the French gloom is a definite part of conference tactics in order to exercise pressure upon Germany. While being desirous of the cancellation of all of the reparations, Britain is willing to approve of any economic compensation that • is acceptable to France, Mr- MacDohald -began 'by pressing the German delegates to offer something tangible to Franco in the nature of compensation for cancellation, but thug ' far' the German delegates are adamant. •Mr MacDonald is anxious to. hurry a settlement, as he has promised to return to London’ on Tuesday in order to see the Ottawa delegation before it sails. Captain Von Papen, the German Chancellor's attitude is partly explained by the fact that Berlin has cembrated the thirteenth anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles by .a demonstration of its patriotic societies in the (Reichstag, where the Treaty was violently denounced. For such reasons as this, M. 'Herriot and the Other French delegates refuse to believe that Captain Von Papen is a fre e agent in the present negotiations. M. Herriot explained yesterday that France desires reparations either in the form of money payments, economic advantages, or a guarantee of her security. The econpmic advantage idea will be again discussed to-day. The latest news is Captain Von* Papen’s statement that he is making an offer to compensate France for the loss of her reparations payments; but this offer is made conditional on the political, clauses of the Versailles Treaty. . ..... ..... . Franc R has rejected this offer. and the German circles have accordingly oome to the conclusion that it is impossible to reconcile the French viewpoint \vi:h their own, RUGBY, June 28. m At Lausanne, Mr MacDonald, after " consultation with Mr Chamberlain and Mv Rungiman, invited the French Premier and the German Chancellor to meet him at his hotel. M. 'Herriot was accompanied by the French Finance Minister, M. Germain 'Martin, and Chancellor Von Papen b) the German Foreign Minister, Herr Von -Neurath. Secrecy , was maintained as to the lines along which the discussions developed, although it is.assumed that Mr MacDonald and the other British Ministers were engaged the Franco-German views. It was arranged that the meeting would be resumed to-night.

GERMAN INTENTIONS. (Received this day at 9.2? a m) LAUSANNE, June 29. Vcrn Pa pen disclosed, when Mr MacDonald yesterday appealed to him for some help in the solution, that Germany could only contribute to the common effort if the d sen'mi nations of the Treaty of Versailles were removed, restoring Germany’s right of equality and security and payment would depend on the restoration of the economic equilibrium in Germany and the rest of the world. OPINION OF THE “TIMES.” LONDON, June 29. The "Times” discussing Lausanne says the mere postponement of the , reparations settlement would be calamitous. The world still awaits an offer from the German Government. The Hoover scheme sets up a goal of major performance, towards vvh'ch the Disarmament Conference must henceforth strive. Its completeness has made a favourable impression on the world. VON PAPEN’S TACTICAL ERROR. J DEMAND FOR TREATY REVISION. (Received this d v at 10.30 a.r0.l LAUSANNE, June 29. A swarm of journalists awaited the termination of ton Papon’s and M. Herriot’s. talk, and all agree that Doth parted visibly angry. In M. Herriot s case this is due to Von Papon’s tactical error in imposing as a condition of precedent the revision of the \ ersaille.s Treaty which naturally damped the increasing French mood towards wiping clean the reparations slate. The French consider Von Papon’s bombshell, “No reparations without treaty revision* ■will make a successful issue impossible.