THE BREACH.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1921, Page 5

THE BREACH.

C/JxFIDENCE IN SIMONS. HAVE TORN UP TREATY.” NO HOPE OF FRIENDSHIP. * By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 14, 12.5 a.m. Berlin, March 13. The Reichstag, by 240 votes to 40, carried a vote of confidence in Herr von Simons, after his speech dealing with the negotiations in London. In the course of a speech Herr von Simons said he made the German counter proposals on his personal responsibility, “from political motives, especially in consideration for those towns threatened by the Allies' measures of compulsion.’ ;< Our position is such,” he added, “that vre cannot expect anything from the rupture of relations. The world’s opinion of us is too unfavorable for the contention that the Peace Treaty is null and void because the Allies have torn it up. Germany must fulfil the treaty as far as passible, but not further. We have not blocked th. path to further negotiations. We must endeavor to Inake counter proposals on a different basis, but after this slap in the face we cannot offer our hand and say we will be friends.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COLLECTING REPARATIONS. THE SYSTEM OF PAYMENT. Received March 13, 5.5 p.m. London, March 12. The German Reparation Recovery Bill provides for the payment of fifty per cent of the value of exported German Tgoods to the Commissioner of Customs, who will place all such money to the special account to be applied under the direction towards the discharge of Germany’s obligations under parts eight and nine of the Versailles Treaty. Goods /to which the Act applies are those wholly or partly manufacuired or produced in Germany and consigned to the United Kingdom, provided they are not intended for reexportation. The value of the goods shall be the amount the importer would give at the price for importation, he paying freight and insurance.—Aus.-£i-Z. Cable Assn. GERMANS DISAGREE. SHARP CRITICISM OF SIMONS. Received Xardi 13, 5.5 p.m. Tendon. March 12. The Morning Post’s Berlin correspondent states sharp conflicts occurred in the Reichstag between Herr von Simons and Herr Stinnes, the latter complaining that the foreign policy of the Government was without a dominating idea, as shown by the fact that a delegate was sent to London to conduct important negotiations without clearly outlined proposals. The whole conduct of Negotiations in London proved the absence of a controlling idea. Herr von Simons, in an angry reply, said that while he gladly accepted adfrice from Herr Stinnes he was not that gentleman’s junior clerk.—Aus.-N.Z. .Cable Assn. THE CUSTOMS PENALTIES. THEIR VALUE EXAMINED. Received March 13, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 12. A special envoy’s despatch from Coblenz, estimating the practical results of jthe penalties, states: Firstly, the occupations are the best conceived and the .most profitable. Coal Jbarried through Duisburg and Ruhrert alone estimated at 25,000,000 tons. Secondly, taking over the product of IDerman customs on the outer frontier ©f Rhineland bordering on France and Belgium does not promise any consid 2 ierable yield. The British High Cominissionerrin Cologne points out that the customs receipts at Cologne were 800.000 during 1920, but he does not guarantee the accuracy of the figures. r Thirdly, the establishment of a customs' cordon between occupied and free jGermany is not likely to yield more than £7,500,000 sterling yearly.—Aus.Jf.Z. Cable Assn. ANOTHER TOWN OCCUPIED. NO INCIDENTS TAKE PLACE. Received March 13, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 12. The Allies occupied Oberhausen without incident.—Aus.-NX Cable Assn. (Oberhausen is a town in the Rhine province of Prussia, 20 miles north-east of Dusseldorf. It is the centre of a coal find iron mining district, and has founjdaries, chemical and soap works, and parcelain and glass factories.) ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. Received March 12, 5.5 p.m. Washington, March 11. Mr. J. W. Weeks (Secretary for War) Announces that the commander of the American forces in Germany will abide by the Allies’ Rhineland Commission’s decisions in connection with Customs duties along the Rhine. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable lAssn.