INDEMNITY QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1920, Page 5

INDEMNITY QUESTION.

STATEMENT BY LLOYD GEORGE. SUPREME COUNCIL'S POLICY. By Telegraph.—Presr Assn.—Conyrlßht. London, April 29. In the House of Commons, following Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Asquith declared that it was extremely desirable that the floating charge imposed on AustroGermany should be replaced by a fixed agreed sum. He was of opinion that the San Rcmo conference marked a considerable step towards the reconconstruction of Europe. Nevertheless he wanted to see an effective establishment of the League of Nations as an authentic organ. A vast number of States, small and great, were already partners to the covenant and would be augmented by their late enemies. Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said the Allies were anxious in the interests of all, including Germany, to shorten the suspense as regards indemnities and charges. The Allies.agreed that it was better for Germany to know her exact liability and invited her to definitely submit a proposal for payment of a lump sum. Germany had not done so. Germany, ho continued, has the remedy in her own hands by stating wnat she was: prepared to pay. He emphasised the fact that there were at pre sent three Powers with a strength of organisation and will to direct the affairs of Europe until there was something of equal power and organisation to replace them. It was idle to wind up the Supreme Council. The Council was the beginning of the League of Nations. He was an earnest believer in the League. If it failed the only hope was a Federation of Nations—lmperial News ServiceThe Premier emphasised the fact that the Ruhr dispute had now been entirely cleared .up. The Germans had been informed that as soon as the troops in the Ruhr Valley were reduced to the number permitted by the Allied letter of August 8 the French troops would be withdrawn. The statement that the French troops would not he withdrawn until Germany was disarmed and certain other clauses of the treaty enforced was in nowise accurate. The Germans must show that they were grappling with the problem of carrying out the terms of the treaty; that was all wo asked at present. The Allies were in most complete accord on all these questions. The Premier denounced the attempts to promote discord, duo to personal malisrnity and disappointed ambition, as criminal. Regarding Turkey, he agreed with M. Millerand that it was not desirable to outline the proposals until they liad been cubmitted to the Porte, but really there was nothing to reveal. There had been no departure from the principles laid down. He confirmed the statement, that the mandate over Syria had been given to France and the mandate over Mesopotamia, including Mosul and Palestine, given to Britain and, in regard to Palestine, with the full recognition of Mr. Balfour's declaration in respect to the Jews. The Armenian problem was overwhelmingly difficult owing to the fact that there was no Armenian population in vast areas. The Allies would have liked to allocate them to Armenia, but if the Allies gave them to Armenia, who would enforce the decree? The San Remo Conference practically reaffirmed the decision to open trade relations with Russia, and in every way to facilitate sending peaceable materials to Russia and obtaining surplus foodstuffs and raw materials from Russia. The Allies were determined not to accept M- Litvinoff as a member of the Soviet delegation in this connection, owing to his having abused his privileges in the past. The Premeir emphasised that, in view of their responsibilities, none of the Allies was able to undertake this task, which would involve a very strong military force, therefore the Allies appealed to America to undertake the mandate over Armenia. If the United States refused, the Allies might ask President Wilson to arbitrate in regard to the boundaries of Armenia. I