REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1922, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

NOTE FROM GERMANY. PLEA FOR TIME. POLICY OF BRITAIN. CRITICISM FROM FRANCE. By Telegraph-—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Aug. 6, 5.5 pm. London, August 5. Germany has addressed a further temporising Note to France on the subject of a moratorium. She reminds France that Britain’s and Belgium’s replies expressed willingness to consider the request for reduced payments with the other Powers, so that a reply in the name of all the Allies might be given. Germany’s Note says Germany will do her utmost to produce the required sums by levies, and points out that by impbeation the Reiehsra’h has already given proof of its sincerity in provisionally considering a Bill to further tax those most capable and liable to pay. The Note adds that Germany is col- 1 lapsing economic ally and fin anc. ally in the • worst possible way, and solemnly urges France to review the whole question and withhold action until she confers with the other Allies. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent says that, as before all previous conferences, the Press has adopted the attitude of making negotiations difficult. Previously it has always demanded Germany's strict obedience to the text of the Versailles Treaty, but to-day it devotes itself to reproaching Britain over the tone of the reparations debate in the House of Commons, alleging it has prejudiced the success of Monday’s conference. The Temps protests that Mr. Lloyd George, by delaying the settlement of repararir..»>. has acted as arbiter between France and Germany, and has prevented the former being paid, and has contributed to Germany's present position. The Journal des Debats deplores Mr. Lloyd George’s vagueness, and contends he has not shown whither he wants to go, and has merely produced a London fog around the subject.