REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

“BAILIFFS IN GERMANY” FRESH PROPOSALS FROM BERLIN. THEIR ACCEPTANCE UNLIKELY. By Telegraph.—Press Awn—Copyright, Received April 13, 7.30 p.m. Faria, April 13. in the Chamber, M. Briand (the Premier), referring to reparations said bailiffs had been sent to Germany, and if the debtor was still recalcitrant then gendarmes must be sent to keep the bailiffs company.—Tims Sevice. M. Briand, in a strikingly determined speech, said the time had passed for further discussion of Germany’s “delinquincies and capacity to pay. The London penalties had not given the results expected. We therefore evolved a procedure by which Germany will be pinned down to the treaty. Let us hear .no more talk on the subject in this Chamber. The Bill matures on May 1, and with the Allies we shall be present at the appointed place to enforce ?ts execution,” he added.—Times Service.

Received April 13, 7.30 p.m. / Berlin, April 13. The decision of France to call Germany to account is reflected in the keen ' anxiety of the Reichstag to find a way out of the reparations impasse. It is felt the country should not be allowed to drift into dangers ahead without exploring the chances of escape. Herr von Simons hurriedly returned to Berlin and conferred with Herr Ebert, after which Cabinet discussed fresh proposals. It is unlikely these will be of a nature acceptable to the Allies and the possibility of further action to enforce payment must be faced meanwhile.

It is reported a fortnight’s operation of the Reparations Act disclosed serious defects, prejudically affecting British trade. The Germans adopted a policy of passive resistance, refusing to ship goods unless the importers agree to pay the tax and where this is done the charge is passed on to the consumer, the German exporter escaping scot free.— 'Times Service.

NO NEW OFFER. GERMAN OFFICIALS’ DENIAL. APPREHENSION OF TROUBLE. Received April 14, 1.20 a.m. London, April 13. The Morning Post's Berlin correspondent reports that a mixed reception awaits Herr von Simons, owing to the majority of Parliamentarians’ disapproval of his recent interview. The Foreign Office is reported to be totally Ignorant of any new offer. M. Briand’s warnirgs are taken as the effect of the failure of the attempt to enlist American support. It is acknowledged that the serious consequences of new punitive measures, which are inevitable if passive resistance is continued, are becoming realised and have awakened discontent with Government newspapers, which formerly approved of Herr von Simons’ attitude in London. They are n<*v condemning the waste of the interval prior to May 1, and suggest a reconstruction of the Cabinet, e—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

TIME GIVEN GERMANS. NO RESULTS PRODUCED. FURTHER GRAC|? USELESS. Received April 14, 1.20 a.m. Paris, April 13. In his speech in the Chamber, M. Briand said the Government bowed before the Reparation Commission’s independence, but the commission’s judgment must be allowed to act, and its Judgment must be carried out. The Reparations Commission had heard the Germane for the last time, and now proceeds to fix the amount of the damages. Jt has heard Germany at twenty-seven sittings, and replied to several hundred German memoranda, while it also allowed the Germans to meet Allied expert*. M. Briand said the Germans complained that the Allies had not supplied Sufficient evidence justifying their claims, and had allowed insufficient time to Verify them; consequently the efforts of the German delegation can lead to no result. The delegation can only offer bbservations and objections. The Reparations Commission replied pointing but the plans taken to provide information had been considered and had allowed a very long period.—Aus. and N.Z. fable Assn.