. PREMIERS MEET.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1921, Page 5

. PREMIERS MEET.

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. BETWEEN BRITAIN AND FRANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn..—Copyrlgtt. London, Dec. 20. Allied experts supplied the Premiers with information on the question submitted yesterday. The experts had previously heard Dr. Rathenau on the economic ’ conditions in Germany. It is contended by Britain that the sum paid by Germany for the upkeep of the British army on the Rhine does .not meet the total expenditure, and the experts are asked to ascertain what Germany could pay in this respect. An official communique says that the conference considered the reparations and examined the condition of the Ger* man resources available for meeting her obligations. Consideration was also given to the means of improving the general economic conditions in Europe. FRENCH PRESS STATEMENT. Paris, Dec. 20. The Echo de Paris asserts that the Premiers will consider the Anglo-French debts to Britain. M. BRIAND INTERVIEWED. London, Dec. 20. The Daily Mail had an interview with M. Briand, who said that if Germany does not pay France will have to borrow. Germany’s bankruptcy will bring France into an impossible position. He was sure a solution would be found of the Anglo-French differences. A nation emerging from a long and terrible war did not want a crushing burden of land armaments, but the weakness of the Geiinan Government compelled France to remain armed and guarded. It was impossible to say what German Government would be in power to-morrow.

Concerning Angora, he said France was maintaining 90,000 men in Cilicia. It was a staggering burden, and she could not do otherwise than withdraw and make terms with the Turks. The delusion that France wanted war with Britain was insensate. Submarines were required for defence, not attack. France accepted Mr. Hughes’ ratio. There was still no confirmation regarding the six 10,000 ton ships G'-rmany was allowed to build by the Versailles Conference. He wanted the Washington Conference to take this into account. Finally, France was unanimously in favor of peace built up on the Entente.