NO PAYMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1921, Page 5

NO PAYMENT.

GERMANY’S FAILURE.

NEW MEASURES PROPOSED.

ULTIMATUM FROM ALLIED

By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright Paris, May 1. Early this morning, with rigid punctuality, the Reparations Commission notified Germany that she had not paid the outstanding balance of twelve milliard marks (£600,000,000 par value). London, May 1. The Exchange Telegraph, commenting on the meeting of the Supreme Council, expressed the opinion that the Allies will crystalise the business under three heads:—

(1) Preparation of a short ultimatum. (2) Making immediate preparations for enforcing the terms if Germany ia unwilling to provide the necessary guarantees. (3) Preparing for military force to act at the expiration of the period named in the ultimatum.

It is understood that the Allies now prefer this to marching into the Ruhr and then entering upon a discussion with the German Government.

ATTITUDE OF AMERICA.

NO ACTION AT PRESENT.

SETTLEMENT EXPECTED.

Received May 3, 12.25 a.m. New York, May 2. The World's Washington correspondent reports that beyond re-affinnation of the declaration that the United States will take no steps in connection with the reparations settlement without the approval of the Allied Governments, officials of the State Department decline to make any comment regarding the deliberations of the interAllied Conference in London.

It is understood the United States Government will reserve comment until a conclusion is reached, and until then it will not make a formal reply to Germany’s request for transmission to the Allies of its latest proposals. The feeling among diplomats knd officials is decidedly optimistic, and the opinion is prevailing that a satisfactory settlement will be peached.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MEDIATION NECESSARY.

AMERICA MAY BE INVITED. Received May 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Mtty 1. The newspapers, discussing the Supreme Council, point out that the Allies may invite America to mediate. The Daily Express says Germany’s appeal to America has been resultless. There is no reason why the Allies should not seek America’s offices.

The Daily News says the naked fact about the week-end meetings is that they were devoted to a struggle more acute than any Allied conference since Spa. The problem can never be permanently settled without America.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ALLIES’ CONFERENCE.

PROBLEM FOR EXPERTS. THE FINAL BILL.

London, May 1. The Allied Conference sat a few minutes and adjourned, as the experts had not completed their analysis of the mass of figures involved in the various financial propositions, which necessarily re- > quire overhauling in view of the Reparation Commission's final bill. It is estimated that the latter, on the basis of payment in 30 annuities, will work out at something like 13,500 millions sterling. The Paris agreement meant 11,300 millions, plus the 12 per cent exports tax, and the Germans’ latest offer is 10,000 millions over an unfixed period. It is these three groups of figures that the experts are wrestling with. The Italians and Mr. Lloyd George regard the Reparation Commission’s bill as fixing -Germany’s responsibility under the treaty.

THE MIDDLE COURSE.

France does not gainsay this, but wants to occupy the Ruhr district first and discuss the methods of payment afterwards. In the absence of a Franco-Ameriean-British military agreement France feels she must rely on herself. Germany has shown that nothing can be gained by trying to treat her decently, France, therefore, insists on fettering the enemy as securely as possible. Her policy is based frankly on the assumption that Germany will fight again as soon as she is capable. Italy is strenuously opposed to the economic destruction < f Germany. Having regained her 10.-l territories from Austria, without ever having much heat in the war against Germany, she desires to resume trade relations with the latter unhampered by sanctions. France broadly desires to see Germany under a receivership on lines akin to the Ottoman Debt Commission.

Mr. Lloyd George, as at the Peace Conference, where he stood between the extremism of M. Clemenceau and the mild benevolence of President Wilson, again stands to-day against extreme measures. He strongly desires a further ultimatum before military action is taken.

FRANCE STANDS FIRM,

French newspapers comment with astonishment on the insistence of Mr. Lloyd George and Count Sforza on an ultimatum, and declare that the most pacific Frenchman is fed up with German higgling, well knowing it is only carried on at the behest of big business men and high financiers. The Matin is particularly cynical. It says that Mr. Lloyd George must have among his hen/ men a number who have attended the Salvation Army and come away with deep impressions. At such meetings old sinners, after the application of perfervid prayers and ragtime hymns with weird trombone and concertina accompaniments have been suddenly converted, and a* similar miracle is seemingly expected on the part of the Germans, but .he Matin adds: ‘There is a more sinister role played by certain citx banker® cwiawt.fid with Ger-

man business houses, whose interests lie not in the redemption of souls, but in the conversation of more material things.” M. Briand declares that he will not abate one jot of France’s demands and insists on the immediate application of the sanctions. Essen will be occupied by next week-end, while an important role has been reserved for the French navy. It is reported from Berlin that Herr Stinnes has made new proposals, embracing more positive guarantees. The conference met for an hour and a half in the afternoon and adjourned without coming to a decision. The experts submitted a report, which was referred back to them for further consideration preparatory to the meeting of the conference at 11. o’clock to-morrow. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN CABINET RESIGNATION.

WHAT IT MEANS.

Berlin, May 1. Vorwaerts, discussing the reported resignation of the Government, says that if they resign it will be a pitiable bolt. There is no conflict of opinion between the Government and Parliament such as forced Herr Schneidemann to resign before the signature of the Versailles Treaty. The resignation means that the leaders of the country are losing their heads and leaving Germany to chaos.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SUGGESTED COMPROMISE.

London, May 1. At the afternoon meeting of the Supreme Council, M. Jaspar, the Belgian Foreign Minister, outlined a scheme under which France would he permitted to continue preparations for the application of the sanctions in view of Germany’s failure to carry out the treaty, while British public opinion which favored a brief period of grace, would be simultaneously satisfied. Mr. Lloyd George was not prepared to give a definite answer to M. Jaspar’s proposal till he had consulted his col-leagues.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.