GERMANY’S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1921, Page 5

GERMANY’S TASK.

FIRST PAYMENT TO ALLIES. £600,000,000 ON MAY 1. COUNTER-PROPOSALS EXPECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received April 18, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, April 18. The overshadowing subject of discussion is the threatened French advance in Germany if the £600,000,000 due from Germany on May 1 is not paid or acceptable proposals submitted. The newspapers regard the next fortnight as the most fateful for Germany since the armistice. It is understood Germany’s new proposals include an offer to assume responsibility for the Allied debts to America and the payment of a substantial cash sum raised by an international loan; also Allied participation in German industry.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMANY ANXIOUS. SEEKING AMERICA AS MEDIATOR. Received April 18, 9.50 p.m. Paris, April 18. The Germans are fervently clutching at any expedient to prevent the occupation of the Ruhr basin. It is now understood they asjred the Vatican to approach the United States and ask the latter to act as mediator.—Times Service. GERMANY’S ARTFUL POLICY. RETARDING DEVELOPMENT. Capetown, April 16. The report of the commissioners who were sent to Germany to endeavor to arrange for the purchase of South African wool says that the project was at first received most favorably by leading commercial men, but they soon cooled off. The commissioners concluded that the German Government, with the cooperation of the banks, was deliberately keeping back the development of the country, so as- not to give the appearance that Germany can pay a large indemnity. They add that it is quite possible the value of the mark will be artificially kept at its present figure. In other words, directly the amount of the indemnity is finally settled the country will be allowed to develop on natural lines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.