A CLEAR SKY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1920, Page 5

A CLEAR SKY.

RESULTS OF SAN REMO. ALLIANCE STRENGTHENED. Ey Telejrapli.—Press Assn.—Copyrlsht. Received April 30, 7.50 p.m. London, April 2!). . le House of Commons, the Prima Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) explained the results of the San Remo Conference. He said that the misunderstandings were serious enough, and made more grave by deliberate fermenting by very reckless persons, but the sky was again clear. All the principals were pleased With the outcome and the alliance placed on a firmer basis than ever. The French people undoubtedly believed Britain did not intend to enforce the Treaty, especially in regard to repara- ; tion and disarmament. The conference dispelled all suspicions. Misunderstandings also arose from the i suspicions created by the utterances by very powerful persons in France, and the writings of powerful journalists, indicating an intention to use the delays in the execution of the Treaty for ul- ; terior motives, .and the annexation of i ''' le Bhineland and the coal areas was openly advocated. Britain had to make it absolutely clear that she never would assent to any such policy. M. Millerand and his associates gave the assurance that the vast majority of I'renchmen were opposed to such a policy equally with Britain. German ministers had been invited ; to confer with Anglo-French Ministers face to face at Spa so as to make certain that the discussions would ho quite in accordance with the Supreme Council's policy. The questions to he discussed were first disarmament, then reparation, and then the army of occupation. The real difficulty in getting the terms of the treaty carried out was that the German Government did not command authority, but the greatest difficulty was that we were dealing with a broken-backed people whose action* were convulsive. It had the command of speech, and that was about all. It was essential to get the German guns and aeroplanes, and the reparations. It was recognised that Germany cannot pay at present, but it was necessary to abandon the exasperating evasions of lier liabilities. The Allies were going fo Spa to make definite proposals. The time limit of four months after the signature of the Treaty that, had been conceded to Germany in which she might submit concrete proposals for the settlement of her liabilities had already lapsed—lmperial Service.