REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1921, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

NEW GERMAN PLAN. NO PAYMENT IN MONEY. OTHER WAYS SUGGESTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt. Received Dec. 1, 8.45 p.m. London, Dee. I. It is understood Herr Rathenau took striking proposals to London, and it is presumed he is engaged in frankly urging the British Government to drop definitely all demands ror reparation payments in money or kind, and agree rather to consider schemes which would advance British economic interests, thus achieving what payments would do. The scheme doubtless includes, firstly, An-glo-Herman exploitation of Russia, and secondly, the utilisation of Qerman labor mechanical skill overseas in colonial enterprises. The moratorium question is regarded as a side issue in the negotiations. Herr Rathenau's success would strengthen Herr Wirth’s Government against the reactionaries and the industrials under Herr Stinnes, who persists in pressing anti-Democratie conditions before agreeing to help the Government to raise credits to meet the reparations. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. “GERMANY CAN PAY.” REVIVAL OF OLD EXCUSE. FIRM ATTITUDE WANTED. Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 30. The Times, in a leader, states the old story of Germany’s inability to meet her reparation engagements is being rerepeated in London with growing vehemence as pay day approaches. It is alleged the power to pay the January and February instalments depends on obtaining Allied loans.

The Times proceeds: “We are returning to the old German claim that the Treaty of Versailles must be revised. The best outside opinion holds that Germany is not only well able to pay the next instalments, but possesses vast hoards of wealth abroad. It is Germany’s business to make the owners of this wealth disgorge. The Allies are not concerned with the methods; all they have to care for is punctual payment. It is Germany, and not Herr Stinnes and other multi-millionaires which is indebted to the Allies, and it is against Germany they have a remedy in case of default.” —Times. GERMANY SEEKING CREDITS. IN BRITAIN AND AMERICA. Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m. Berlin. Nov. 30. Herr Hugo Stinnes reported the result of his visit to London to a meeting of the Imperial Union of German industries, which decided to adopt the proposal of the Chancellor (Herr Wirth) and appoint a committee of six financiers and industrialists, men who are m touch with British and American economic circles, with a view to opening credits, not merely to assure the January reparation payments, but to find new methods of payment and prevent Germany again falling into a condition which will make default impossible.— Times. FEELING IN FRANCE. CONSULTATION URGED. Received Dec. 1, 10110 p.m. Paris, Dee. I. There is a feeling in official circles that France should have been consulted before Rathenau visited London. Mr. Winston Churchill’s speech may clear the situation. Le Temps notes appreciatively Mr. Churchill’s declaration that England cannot make friends with Germany at the expense of France. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A BRITISH NOTE. London, Nov. 29. The British Government is closely considering every aspect of the German reparation question. A recent British Note to France points out that Britain cannot expect to ratify the other outstanding financial agreements unless France ratifies the agreements of August 13, which laid down that the reparation instalment of 1000 million gold marks paid by Germany on August 31, should be devoted, firstly to paying the cost of the army of occupation, and secondly to satisfying the priority claims of Belgium. The Note asks how France intends to safeguard the interests of Germany’s other creditors if the Wiesbaden agreement is enforced. It is believed in this connection that Herr Rathenau’s visit, to London is not unconnected with the submission to Britain of a proposal similar to the Wiesbaden agreement.—Reuter.