FRANCE’S DEMAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1922, Page 5

FRANCE’S DEMAND.

ANXIETY IN RF,RT<TN, PAYMENT THIS MONTH. COERCIVE MF A SURFS. B* TeTegra>D&—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Aug. 3, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Aug. 2. M. Poincare’s reply to Germany points out that £2,000,000 must be paid before August 15, and that an assurance that it will be paid must be given by August 5. If assurances are not given, coercive measures will be taken. The reply has caused much anxiety in Berlin. Though the coercive measures are not stated, Berlin fears the expulsion of 80,000 Germans resident in Alsace and that their property will be confiscated; also that the personal belongings of thousands of the richest families will be confiscated. Received Aug. 3 7.55 p.m. London, August 3. The Daily Telegraph’s Paris correspondent stresses the fact that though M. Poincare leaves on Sunday to meet Mr. Lloyd George on Monday, he has bound himself in a certain eventuality to act individually against Germany on the previous Saturday. One reason for France’s obduracy regarding Germany’s adherence to the arrangement for the payment, of private debts is that the German Government, in 1920, stipulated that German debtors’ payments should be reckoned on the pre-war value of the mark, the differ- , ence in the actual sums paid in depre- | ciated currency, when translated into ; foreign currency, being guaranteed by the German Treasury. France regards this as unwarranted, resulting merely in an adverse effect on the Reich’s financial situation. The Belgian attitude is directly oppos- ' ed to that of France, which has caused grave disappointment in Paris. The • French Press attitude to the whole question is summarised in the Matin’s j reference to M. Poincare’s action as | “stopping a swindle.” I The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent understands the Government will not answer M. Poincare’s Note, but will adopt a passive attitude towards any French action. It is believed in Berlin that M. Poincare intends to seize Customs, railways, posts and telegraphs taxation and revenue in the occupied area- Government circles are greatly astonished at M. Poincare’s intention to put in the bailiffs ten days before the payment is due.