FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1919, Page 5

FRANCE.

THE WAR COST. A DURABLE PEACE ESSENTIAE. THE DISARMAMENT QUESTION. Received March 3, 7.40 p.m. Paris, March 2. Tho French press declares that France's future depends on the new armistice conditions. The war cost, France three mulion men and three hundred milliard of francs, but the victors will be a ruined people unless they obtain that peace to which they are entitled. Le Matin says that in order to prevent Germany complaining that France, in exacting disarmament, has ulterior designs, France should he willing to bind herself in such a way as to allay Germany's fears.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. FULL INDEMNITY DEMANDED. BY NATIONAL CONGRESS. Received March 4, 12.45 a.m. Paris, March 2. The French National Congress, representing nearly a million workers and employers, unanimously resolved that Germany must fully indemnify France, as the Germans, if successful, would have compelled France to pay. —Times Service. GRATUITIES TO SOLDIERS. POOLING WAR EXPENDITURE. PROPOSED ALTERATION IN PRESIDENCY. Paris, Feb. 28. The Chamber of Deputies adopted a Bill granting demobilised soldiers a gratuity of 250 francs ( - £10), plus 20 francs for combatants for each month's service and 10 francs to non-combat-ants. The Chamber's Budget Committee recommends the Allies to pool their war expenditure and issue an inter-allied loan. Deputy Lairolle has tabled a proposal to revise the constitution by electing a president on American lines, making him. the responsible head of the State. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc

FRENCH FOOD SCARCITY. HELP FROM BRITAIN AND AMERICA. Paris, March 2. The scheme of the Food Ministry for purchasing certain foodstuffs in England and America in order to cheapen the cost of living comes into operation on Thursday and will lower restaurant prices 30 per cent. The Ministry acknowledges its indebtedness to Britain for furnishing shipping on favorable conditions, also to Mr Hoover'a co-operation. It is pointed out that 3.25 francs latterly 9pent in Paris was equivalent to 2.3 francs in New York and 1.7 franca in London.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.