REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

DEFAULT OF GERMANY. TREATY PROVISIONS IGNORED. ‘■MORE DRASTIC STEPS.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. The Reparations Commission has now definitely informed the German Commission that it has come to the conclusion that the German Government has made up its mind not to accede to the Reparation Commission’s demand to enforce article 235 of the treaty. Further, in view of this uncomprofriising attitude of the German Government, the Commission feels bound to take more drastic steps to enforce its rights over the products and resources of the Empire and the German States. Germany’s suggestion that she take over the Allies’ indebtedness to America is not received with any appreciable favor in Britain and France. These various manoeuvres are taken to mean that Germany is playing for time.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE ALLIES TO MEET.

FIRM ATTITUDE OF FRANCE. MILITARY PLANS PREPARED. Received April 20,. 5.5 p.m. Londton, April 19. Although a full meeting of the Supreme Council is rendered imperative early in May, through Germany’s default regarding reparations, certain factors make it urgently necessary that M. Briand (Premier of France) and Mr. Lloyd George sho'ild confer beforehand. It is likely that Belgian and Italian representatives will attend at' Hythe if time permits. The prime factor for the) conference is France s attitude. Men like M. Poincare and M. Tardieu, now'that efforts to get from Germany substantial proposals have failed, are insistent* on carrying out the Versailles Treaty ‘to the letter, and Object to further parleying over the terms. The French military authorities, under Marshal Foch, haw, Deen engaged in a secret conference during the last day or two, on the mifctary measures necessary to enforce Gertsan compliance with the treaty. There is' no evidence indicating France’s determination tfc) act alone if need be. M. Briand is Expected to lay France’s plans before Mr. Lloyd George at Hythe to secure his acceptance and some measure of active in bringing Germany to heel. The Reparation Commission, Z from whose decision there is no appeal, definitely estimates that Germany may only surrender the equivalent 8,000,000,000 marks, and she is now faced with the seemingly impossible tasj of finding 12,000,000,000 marks. Gemhany failed to induce Belgium and Switzerland to mediate with the Allies.—(Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEW OFFER FROM GERMANY.

RESTORATION WORK PROPOSED. YEARLY PAYMENT Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. Berth, April 19. Germany is formulating' a fresh offer to the Allies, by which she carries out certain restoration workj through a syndicate of German contractors, the material being supplied from German supplies, and the payment for which is assured by bonds which the German Government will hand td the French people involved. Germany also proposes to pay each year for ten years 3,000,000,000 gold marks, plus an annuity etaual to 20 per cent, of the German exports to the Allied countries. Germany alsd» suggests an international loan of 10,000,000,000 marks, on which she will pay 5 per cent, guaranteed by the revenues of German railways.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

ANSWER BY ABKIL 22.

AN OUTCRY IN GERMANY. DISADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMS LEVY. Received April 20, 5.5 p.m. London, April 19. The Reparations Commission gives Germany until April 22 to reply to its demands. There is a considerable outcry in Germany over the commission’s instruction to the German authorities to transfer the Reichs Bank’s gold reserve to the occupied territory before May x 1. Although the sanction imposing customs duties has not been long enough in operation to enable definite opinions as> to its practicability, there is already an indication, both in Britain and France, of its boomerang-like character, and. that even if Germany exports to Allied countries the tax will be handed on to the consumer, who will thus help to pay Germany’s indemnity.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assfi..

THE SITUATION OUTLINED. THE GENERAL POSITION. Paris, April 19. M. Briand will spend the week-end with Mr. Lloyd George at Hythe prior to the intenADied conference which is being held before the fateful May 1. The Swiss President has refused German’s request to mediate with the Allies on her behalf. The Vatican denies having transmitted new German proposals to the United States. The" Petit Parisien’s Berlin correspondent says that it is believed the Reichsbank is no longer storing gold in Berlin, but in places of safety in neighboring neutral countries. The Echo de Paris states that the new occupation area is 47 miles by 16 miles. The population is four millions. The military problem is simple and seven divisions are believed to be adequate, but economic measures will entail com-* ptexities. The Matin’s special correspondent jUh M. yMi* rtatM •*»*,*•

the latter’s visit to Washington M. Briand is assured that, if he takes the recalcitrant debtor by the throat and goes through his pockets forcibly, he will have American support. M. Viviani has also settled the disquieting Yap problem. and ended American uneasiness relating to France’s debt. The correspondent 'adds: “If America refuses permanently to join the League the fault lies with Mr. Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau, who in. March, 1919, ignored a recommendation by 30 American senators that the League plan was unacceptable, that peace ought first to be settled and the League «»«• .