ALLIES’ ORDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 5

ALLIES’ ORDER.

ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY.

FULL REPARATION DEMANDS.

DISARMAMENT INSISTED ON.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. London, May 5. The Allies’ ultimatum to Germany, in addition to calling upon Germany to execute the Reparations Commission’s demands, requests immediate military, naval and aerial disarmament, as notified by the Powers on January 29, with which so far Germany has failed to comply; also the immediate trial of war prisoners. . The occupation of the Ruhr and all other military and naval sanctions will continue during Germany’s non-fulfil-ment of the demands.

Mr. Lloyd George, M. Briand, Count Sforza, M. Jaspar and Count Hayashi signed the ultimatum, which was handed to the German Ambassador later in the morning. The Supreme Council broke up and the French delegation returned to Paris. M. Briand. interviewed at Victoria Station, said he was very Satisfied with the result-8 of the conference, and added: “I believe we now have a bask for an expeditious and effective settlement.”

SPEECH BY PREMIER.

GERMANY’S EASY ATTITUDE. -ALLIES DRIVEN TO ACT.” THE FINANCIAL DEMANDS. London. May 5. In the House of Commons, the Prime. Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) stated that the conference just concluded was the most important and momentous between the Allied Powers. The latter, during the past year, had shown considerable forbearance towards Germany. They had never been insistent in the letter of the bond, nor unduly harsh. Germany had defaulted in disarmament. There were gtill far too many machine-guns and rifles unsurrendered; therefore France was unable to settle down and compelled to arm and keep her eyes on her eastern frontier. Germany’s position in regard to war criminals was quite unsatisfactory. The Allies had been driven to take strong action, not because Germany had defaulted, but on account of her general attitude on the whole question.

Mr. Lloyd’ George added that Germany at the outside had paid £400.000,000. Whilst willing to make allowances for Germany’s difficulties, they must insist on respect to the treaty. Mr. Lloyd George outlined the financial proposals, which were practically as cabled. The first series of bonds must be delivered py July 1. The first payment of £50,000,000 must be made within 25 days, either in gold, three months’ foreign bills, or German Treasury drafts, endorsed by German banks in London, Paris and New York; the next item of payment must be made in kind, including material for reconstruction in France. A sub-commisaion of the Reparations Commission will sit at Berlin to supervise the collection of the export duty. Mr. Lloyd George continued: Germany must make up her mind that she could fiot keep the world in a state of uncertainty. It was a good thing for the German people to be brought up sharply and told firmly that unless they accepted the terms the Allies would make them do so.

Lord Robert Cecil said he thought Germany’s attitude with regard to reparations incredibly foolish. He hoped she would adopt the terms and avoid the further use of force. Mr. Asquith took a similar view. If Germany neglected the opportunity of accepting a reasonable method of discharging her legal and moral obligations it would be a critical mistake, which would never be forgiven in the history of the world. Sir Samuel Hoare said there would be no peace in Europe until France was confident that her frontiers were secure; therefore it would be well to renew the Anglo-French defensive treaty of 1919, which we ratified. If America did this jt would give real peace in Europe. Mr. Clyhes welcomed Mr. Lloyd George’s speech, particularly the fact that reparations were . to be on the basis of Germany b capacity to pay. Disarmament was an essential condition to a settlement in Europe. Sir L. Worthington Evans, replying to the debate, said did not suggest that the German bonds would be worth par He thought that it would be wise if they were put on the market at a considerable discount, so as to get into .the hands of neutrals and lose their character of an enemy debt.