ALLIES CONFER.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1920, Page 5

ALLIES CONFER.

RUMORS OF DISSENSION. • I ffILL GERMANY ESCAPE LIGHTLY? i By Xeletrtpb.—Pren Mm.— Copyright. London, April 22. Though the supposed differences between England, France and Italy regarding the necessity of exacting full compliance with the Peace Treaty from Germany are at present only based on rumoTs, they are taken with extreme seriousness in France, where the newspapers almost unanimously fear Germany will be allowed to escape the fulfilment of her Treaty obligations. The commonest version iR that Sigrtor Nitti desires the revision of the Treaty in Germany's favor, that M. Millerand demands strict compliance, and that Mr- Lloyd George occupies a mid position, it being considered uncertain how far he will incline to one side or the other. Some French newspapers assert that the next few days will decide the continuance or dissolution of the Entente. Contemporaneous with Germany's triple Note is the increasing frankness of German newspaper comment. A portion of the Press openly hopes that Germany will benefit by an Entente disagreement and is beginning to demand revision as a matter of right. The impression is current in Germany that Mr. 'Lloyd George agrees with Signor Nitti In principle, but that he has not yet agreed on the means. Mr. Perris, the special correspondent of the Daily Chronicle at San Remo, summarising the inner history of the Conference, says: Wlipn M- Millerand. Signor Nitti, and Mr. Lloyd George met the latter laughingly remarked: "Well. here we are in Paradise, but which is the serpenti" MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S DOMINANCE. The Press says that Mr. Lloyd George is by far the strongest man, but painfully born between deep conviction of the necessity of a reasonable attitude towards Germany and a deep sense of France's wounds and difficulties. Slgnor Nitti has some resemblance to Mr. Lloyd George, which makes the malignant charge Signor Nitti with an inclination towards the restoration of the old understanding between Italy and Germany. As a fact Signor Nitti has the wisdom to recognise the peril of any policy of adventure at the present time. It is unfair to say that M. Millerand is the serpent, but he has inherited a role of immense difficulty from M. Clemenceau. The French Conservative and militarist Right is now trying to drive M. Millerand to extreme.?. Other leading Frenchmen profess to be utterly hopeless of France getting reparation or the seouritr promised by the Versailles Treaty. Thev re?ard the Berlin Government as a feeble effigy and it Junker Government possible at any moment. The Anglo-American Convention, on which France relied, has become valueless owing to America's attitude. FRANCE STANDS ALONE. They point out that England cannot; be relied upon for immediate substantial i aid, and that Italy is even less reliable. There is no Russia to aid France and conseouently 'France stands alone to face future peril. These critics urge that the sooner Germany's infractions of the Treaty are punished the better. Mr. Perris adds that if Germany's disarmament is not completed and coal delivered the Rhine frontier should be made definite and the Ruhr Vallev occupied- A. struggle is going on behind the scenes to impose these views upon the three Premiers. This is a grievous spectacle and illustrates the ineffeetual«y of democratic parties to deal with International matters. There is a danger of the civil Government of France being pushed into further separate action and the moral" of the Entente thus brolcen, which would be a calamity. Afr Balfour has been summoned to San Remo. An unfavorable synmtom is that M. Millerand and Signor Nitti are desirius or returning to their own countries on Sunday, giving no time to sift the situation. jv* l^"? B add * : Mv iT "">«e s suggest the French attitude on the German Note wiH not be favorable, hut M. Millerand U teclined to make allowances.