The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1921. THE ALLIES’ CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1921. THE ALLIES’ CONFERENCE.

It is probable that the conference of the Allies, which is now in session at Paris, will be one of the most important thfit has yet been held. There appears to exist a feeling that the time for definite action in the direction of clearing up outstanding matters of great moment has arrived, and that certain issues must be faced and settled in such a way as to leave no loophole for misunderstanding as to their intentions in clearing up the various matters arising out of the Armistice terms and the Peace Treaties. Whatever charges may be levelled against the Allies by their late enemies, they cannot be accused of undue haste in enforcing the fulfilment of obligations on the conquered, rather have they erred on the side of dilatoriness and disinclination to appear harsh in dealing with smitten foes. The long interval which has elapsed since the cessation of hostilities has witnessed several drastic changes .in the government of what were formerly known as the Central Powers and their allies, and the liberal allowance of breathing time has enabled a more accurate estimate to be made as to the financial and political outlook of these nations, thereby giving an indication as to the line of action the Allies should now take with reference to all outstanding matters arising out of th? war, nor will their policy be weakened by American tactics. Conditions, therefore, are favorable for the concerted action for which the time is ripe. With regard to the two chief subjects that will engage the serious attention of the Conference —reparations and disarmament—a recent Press message from Paris states that it is under- . stood both Britain and France are determined to compel Germany to meet her reparations obligations, also that Marshal Foeh and Sir Henry Wilson (Chief of Jhe Imperial General Staff) have drafted a scheme to prevent evasion by Germany of her obligations as to disarmament, though a slight extension of time may be granted to enable the process to be completed according to the strict letter of the terms imposed. Now that the crucial moment is at hand when the reparations indemnity has to be decided upon, thp difficulties of the; problem loom large, but they are not insuperable. By this time the AngloFreneh experts should be in a position to give something approaching reliable data <is to the extent of Germany’s ability to meet both immediate and deferred payments, but where a difference of opinion mav arise between

Britain and France is on the question of whether the full amount to be demanded shall be settled straight out, or whether fixed annual contributions shall be made during the next five or ten yearjj, leaving the question of the maximum sum in abeyance. Probably Germany would prefer to know the full extent of her liability under this head, but as she failed to avail herself of the opportunity afforded her to propose a fixed sum, she cannot justly complain if the Allies decide to wait and see how much she can reasonably be called upon to pay when her finances improve. At the same time the con-1 ferenee might well indicate what 1 amount it considers Germany• ought to pay, leaving the question of reduction over for future consideration after the annual remittances have been made, and the expenses of the army of occupation defrayed. Calculations made by Mr. Edgar Crammond, the economist, as to the actual cost of the war, show that Britain’s net loss of wealth was about £3,500,000,000, or rather more than oneeighth of the nation’s wealth; that France lost one-fourth, Italy a fifth, Belgium not less than a tenth, and Germany nearly onehalf (including the proposed indemnity). There is no thought of acting against Germany in any spirit of revenge, but justice demands that the reparations indemnity shall be fixed on a basis that is fair to the Allies, even though it may seem a huge burden on the people who have to pay. It is to be hoped that the Conference will strive to evolve a practical policy’ as regards Soviet Russia—a problem that does not seem so hopeless of solution as it did some while back. There are also othe rimportant matters for consideration connected with Austria. Turkey, Greece, Poland, and Asia Minor, so that ample material for interchange of views exists, tlibugh it is unlikely that all the work of the Conference will be despatched at present. The most that can be hoped for is a satisfactory agreement on all matters concerning Germany.