FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1921, Page 5

FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

LORD DERBY DISTRESSED. ENTENTE ALLIANCE URGED. By Telegraph.—Preas Asan Copyright. London, Nov. 30. Lord Derby, at an Anglo-French dinner, said it was heart-breaking to see the trend of affairs in connection with the Anglo-French relations, and to read the speeches and articles on both sides of the Channel. The Foreign Secretaries were great men, but they were the servants of the public. The points of difference in regard to the French Policy in the Middle East should be set down in black and white in order that the people of England should know whether France was in the right or the wrong. M. Briand was a great joker, but the joke about the British capital ships fishing for sardines was singularly infelicitous. Ou the contrary Lord Derby said he was on the side of France in regard to the diminution of her army. Nevertheless if France reduced her army and England her navy, the United States 'ought to agree to come to the help of either Power if attacked. The Entente, he thought, should be consolidated into an alliance.. LLOYD GEORGE’S DIPLOMACY. FRENCH CRITICISM. Received Dec. 1, 10.20 a.m. Paris, Nov. 30, The French newspapers continue the criticisms of Mr. Lloyd George’s diplomatic offensive. The Matin says his programme is already partly known to the French Government, which is carefully examining it to see if the interests of France are harmfully affected. The Matin adds that it was on Lord D’Abernon’s suggestion that Mr. Lloyd George drew up his plan. The former considers the Allies must accord for certain a moratorium, and the first condition is the re-establishment of the equilibrium of the German Budget. The French Government asks for new guarantees before the question of the postponement of payments is even considered, and inclines to the establishment of a commission at Berlin to control German finances as the only adequate guarantee. It is regrettable that Britain and Germany should negotiate in the absence of France, who is the principal creditor. /