The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1921. REPARATIONS ENGAGE. MENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1921. REPARATIONS ENGAGE. MENTS.

With wearisome monotony, matters in connection with Germany’s reparations engagements take on new designs, though always with the object of easing immediate cr future efforts to meet obligations. It is all part of a well-understood policy of evasion and an intentional persistency in playing on the feelings of her creditors that emboldens Germany to conceive a sequence of excuses for being treated with leniency. It would seem that the German authorities still put much faith in their ability to outwit the Governments of other countries by camouflaged diplomacy and carefully designed schemes, in the hope that once the terms of the Versailles Treaty are varied, or even suspended, then the Treaty must be revised. The recent mission which took Herr Stinnes and Herr Rathenau to London was an astute move with the double object of endeavoring to convince the British Government ." -d the people that not only was itjimpossible for Germany to meet the next instalment of the reparations penalty, but that insistence on its discharge would ruin German industry and create disorders that might have a worldwide effect that would be far worse than the war. It was certainly a well-timed scheme, and doubtless its authors counted on the existence of unemployment on a large scale in Britain, as well as the slackness of trade and the stringency of finance, being factors that would tell in the scale when weighed against the portentous happenings which were threatened unless Germany obtained at least temporary consideration. “It is understood,” stated a recent cablegram from London, “that 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 for reparation payments, in money ox’ in kind, and agree rather to consider schemes which would advance. British economic interests, thus achieving what payments would do.” The subtlety of this preamble is so patent that it discloses true German guile, well calculated to deceive the unwary. Yet that is a mere circumstance when compared with the main point of the astounding proposals, which the scheme “doubtless includes.” The first suggestion is for an Anglo-German exploitation of Russia- What that means can only be conjectured, but the presumption is that it means getting possession of Russia’s exportable materials in exchange for goods to be supplied by Britain and Germany, naturally at considerable gain to (the exploiters. Incidentally it may mean the domination of Russia., a course to which Britain could never agi’ee, especially as it would give Germany the foothold there that she is so anxious to obtain. AU the same it is evidently considered by the wily Teutons as a tempting bait that would attract British industrialists and give a great stimulus to employment. It is, however, the second proposal that is likely to create intense astonishment, for it is described as “the utilisation of German labor and mechanical skill in colonial enterprises. ’ ’ Whether this means the provision of German labor for developing British colonies or exGerman colonies, the end in view is the same —German penetration —and so thoroughly is the ultimate purpose of that penetration understood that it is surprising the Germans should have the audacity to mention such a proposition. As to employing German mechanics in British colonies where they would become active propagandists in their country’s interests, the .idea is too absurd for words. It is quite likely that Herr Stinnes is responsible for the scheme, which, if carried out, would provide a means for transporting anti-royalist workers of all classes overseas and so facilitate the execution of the monarchial designs wherewith Herr Stinnes is obsessed. Color is lent to this view by the action of Herr Stinnes in persistently pressing on the Government that before agreeing to help the Government to raise credits to meet the reparations, his anti-democratic conditions must be accepted. This wheel within wheel acts and reacts with a. definite object—the restoration of the monarchy and the recrudescence of the menace which preceded I lie late war. The London Times

strikes the only note that is possible under the circumstances by dismissing the old story of Germany’s inability to pay, and stressing the evident fact, as expressed in the best outside opin ion, that is not only well

able to pay. but possesses hoards of wealth abroad, and it is her business to make the owners of wealth disgorge, the Allies not being concerned with the methods. That is unquestionably the right view to take. There is every indication that Germany will adopt every ruse that can be conceived in order to obtain a revision of the Treaty, and it is for the Allies to checkmate such moves. There is no doubt as to French feeling in the matter, and as the Dominions are interested they should express their views against any tinkering with the Treaty or they may rue their neglect. Germany should be made to understand that she must meet her obligations, which she can very well do by taking the necessary steps to that end. If she can raise credits so much the better, but the Allies should be paid.