THE ENTENTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1922, Page 5

THE ENTENTE.

THE PREMIERS CONFER. REPARATIONS PROBLEM. NO COERCIVE MEASURES. By Telegraph.—Press Aasn.—Copyright. Received June 20, 8-40 p.m. London, June 19. Mr. Lloyd George gave a luncheon to M. Poincare (Premier of France) and General Petain at Downing Street. He afterwards conferred privately with M. Poincare, Lord Balfour, and Sir Robert Horne. It is understood the Near East, the Hague Conference and German reparations were discussed. The official exchange of views between Mr. Lloyd George and M. Poincare was of the most friendly character. The first subject discussed was reparations. In view of the failure of an international loan, the British view was that this was a bad moment to establish definitely the amount of German liability, because things being so low and so uncertain, that any decision might provoke a controversy later, especially as Germany’s progress was dependent on the recovery of her foreign trade. It was decided that the next step of the Reparation Commission should be to investigate the real state of Germany’s finances, and see if, with the assistance of a foreign loan, the German Government could balance its budget and establish its currency. When the report on this matter has been received further conversations will be held. M. Poincare agreed to come over, probably at the end of July, but in the meanwhile no coercive measures are contemplated. The next subject discussed was the functions of the Hague Conference. M. Poincare agreed with the British view that the function of the experts at the Hague was to examine, in conjunction with the Russians, any practical means for solving the difficulties regarding the credits. France and Britain agreed to co-operate in the work at the Hague on these lines. Tangier was then discussed, and it was decided the subject is to be referred to a conference between the British, French and Spanish Governments, to take place at London towards the end of July. It was also decided that an AngloFrench Commission should inquire into the allegations that the Greeks were being marched into the interior of Anatolia to perish by the way, and into the accusations and counter-accusations that Turks and Greeks are being massacred in the war areas. This matter will “e further considered at the London conference at the end of July. M. Poincare and party have returned to Paris.—N.Z. Cable Assn.