CHANGE IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1922, Page 5

CHANGE IN FRANCE.

NEW PREMIER’S AIMS. REPARATIONS FIRST. FAVORS THE ENTENTE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Jan. 15, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Jan. 14. There appears little doubt that M. Poincare, while desiring an alliance with Britain, wants it of a character that will not deprive France of her rights and guarantees under existing treaties. His past utterances show„he stands firm on the reparation payments laid down last May, and it remains to be seen whether under the exigencies of to-day he can remain similarly firm in his role as Prime Minister, or bow to circumstances like M. Bria nd. It is unlikely he will support the Genoa conference unless the question of reparations is rigidly excluded from the agenda, M. Poincare informed a Parliamentary delegation that his conversations with Mr. Lloyd George are likely to last several hours, and therefore the formation of the Cabinet will probably be delayed till Sunday. Writing in the current issue of the Revue des Deuxmondes, M. Poincare says the Genoa conference is a plunge into the unknown, and adds that it is more important to France to receive several million francs in reparations tomorrow than to be assured of France’s Hights to be paid at some future date.

THE BRITISH PREMIER.

A VISIT TO PARIS. NO CHANGE IN THE PACT. Received Jan. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 14. Mr. Lloyd George has left Cannes to go to Paris to confer with M. Millerand, and possibly M. Poincare. Before his departure Mr. Lloyd Gecrge, in conference with British Press said the new French situation made no change in the pact. It would not be necessary to summon another meeting of the Supreme Council prior to the Genoa conference unless the new French Government had different views from its predecessor. Mr. Lloyd George attached great importance to the Genoa meeting. If it succeeded, he said, it would mean the pacification of Europe. Broader views in sight after Genoa would be towards a federaton of nations for the purpose of preserving peace. All wanted the United Ctates to come in if possible. Mr. Lloyd George said: “I always send long telegraphic summaries .of the conferences to my colleagues the Dominion Premiers.’’ Received Jan. 15. 5.5 p.m. Paris. .Fan. 14. M. Poincare informed Viscount Harding (British Ambassador) that he will meet Mr. Lloyd George at the British Embassy on Saturday. “Herve,” writing in Victoire. says: — “Mr. Lloyd George, who knows nothing of French mentality and its sensitivenets, is the sole author of the Ministerial crisis.” The Temps publishes an article on golf and diplomacy. It points out that golf is an excellent stimulus to British diplomatists, but if French politicians want to learn it they should do so during the vacation. The article sums up much of the boulevard chatter of the last week to the effect that when the vital interests of Europe were at staKe Mr. Lloyd George felt it a good opportunity to teach M. Briand golf, and at other times the pair spent their time gt the Carlton at Cannes watching dancers performing to a jazz band. Rumours are grossly exaggerated, but thev have done untold harm to the reputation of the Supreme Council. On every side Frenchmen are saying this conference is a farce.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMANY ALARMED. NO LOVE FOR POINCARE. Received Jan. 15, 55 p.m. Berlin. Jan. 14. The Press is troubled over the likelihood of M. Poincare’s return to power. They are convinced he is the worst foe Germanv has. France will expect him to endeavor to apply scorpions where M. Briand belabored them with rods.— Aus.-NX Cable Assn. POINCARE FORMING CABINET. PACT MUST BE SIGNED. Received Jan. 14, 55 p.m. Paris, Jan. 13. The newspaper Le Temps editorially argues that, despite the crisis, the European situation demands the signing of the proposed Pact, which will consolidate peace and facilitate reparations. *We are convinced,” Le Temps adds, •‘that both the British and French public are unanimously agreed that a Ministerial crisis must not wreck our hopes. ’ CONSTITUTION OF MINISTRY. GERMANY TO BE PRESSED. HARMONY WITH ALLIES. Received Jan. 14, 55 p.m. Paris, Jan. 13. It is not expected that a settlement of the Ministerial crisis will be long delayed. It is generally believed that M. Poincare himself will take the Foreign portfolio, and that several outgoing Ministers will be retained, includjng M. Sarraut, who is at present in -oned regarding the Anglo-French Poincare was non-committal, miphasised that the importance hed to British friendship was the policy of compelling Gerfulfil every detail of her obeclared that M. Poincare favig France’s participation in the nference conditional on full reig given to all her rights, ported that Mr. Lloyd George vited to confer with M. PoinM. MiHerand on Sunday, when Trough Paris. «spapers are confident M. Poinpreserve harmony with the 1 see that Germany fulfils her s.—Reuter Service. JE CABINET CRISTS. VXDS SUDDEN DECISION. Paris, Jan. 13. amber was packed. Even his admit that M. Briand made a iant oratorical effort. He ex-

pounded the problems discussed at the Cannes Conference in close detail, and castigated What he described as gross calumnies regarding the Pact, and reminded the deputies that he refused to go to Cannes unless he had the full moral support of the Chamber. It is now believed that when he began his' speech he had not decided to resign, but. feeling that he was-losing his grip on the House, he gave a sudden decision. His remark, “Well. I will clear out,” was not understood until suddenly he ended his speech, and a stupefied House saw Cabinet filing out of the Chamber. A telegram from the Senate Commission, which M. Poincare and M. Ribot were responsible for, was sent, to M. Briand at Cannes on Tuesday night. It said briefly: “France must take everything and give nothing.” M. Briand accordingly decided to return to Paris. —A.UH--JLZ. Cable Assn.