Evening star., 1922-08-09
London Conference Nears
End as Premiers Argue
on Reparations Plans.
EXPORTS TAX APPROVED
BY BRITISH DELEGATION
Lloyd George Agrees to Collection
of 26 Per Cent at French
Frontier.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, August 9.-As a result OF
three-hour conversation between
Premier Poincare of France and Mr.
Lloyd George, the British prime min
lister, today. it was decided to refer
back to the committee of experts NJ
Poincare's plan for control of Ger
man finances, with the request that
the points upon which the British
and French are not in agreement be
re-examined.
Mr.. Lloyd George agreed to the
French suggestion regarding the col
lection of rs per cent of German ex-
ports at her frontier, which would be
paid into reparations funds. He also
agreed to the suggestion for taking
over the stateeforests and mines in
German occupied territory.
The important points on which the
two premierS were unable to agree
were the establishment of a customs
barrier along the Rhine providing for
duties on everything going into and
coming from the Ruhr region, the
principal purpose being to tax coal
going into the rest of Germany, and
allied participation in German in
dustrial concerns.
Although the conversation took
place without the appearance of any
personal aspersions, both the premiers
were described as tenaciously holding
their respective viewpoints.
The drafting committee of experts.
lasting more than an hour, adjourned
after a meeting. at the treasury
until 1890 o'clock to consider GER
tain details
Allies I'm Dispute.
1t was admitted that the situation
was very difficult.
The differences between the French
and British viewpoints on the repara-
tions problem, which seem to be
threatening the breakup of the allied
conference. wege discussed over their
breakfast this morning by Prime Min
lister Lloyd George and Premier Poin-
care.
the outstanding feature of the early
part of the conferences third day.
Premier Pofncare went directly
from his hotel to the French embassy.
where he met Mr.. Lloyd George, and
the premiers later continued their
conversation at the residence of
Eiscount Farquhar, where the mem
bers of the allied delegation had
luncheon.
Premier Poincare of France and
Prime Minister Lloyd George are ap-
parently farther apart on what is to
be done with Germany than before
they met. They may. however. agree
to short moratorium for Germany.
NJ. Poincare has indicated to Mr.
Lloyd George that things cannot
go on as they are and that France
may be compelled to take indepen-
dent action. Premier Theunis of Bel
gium is striving to bring the British
and French policies nearer together
NJ. Bemelmans, Belgian expert, was
requested by the drafting committee
to draw the report in a non-com-
initial manner, simply arranging in
order of least opposition the various
proposals, with the estimates of the
probable yield of each if adopted
The report begins with the sug-
gestion that the proposed 26 per cent
lected as the shipments leave Ger
many, not by the allied importing
countries when the goods arrive at
their frontiers.
Germans Watch Conference.
The division of opinion among the
delegates regarding Premier Poin-
cares plan for the control of Ger
many's finances in return for a mora
torium for Germany is considered ir-
reconcilable. The opponents base
their objections upon the conviction
that the plan would be unproductive
or would cost more than it could
produce.
Reports from Berlin say the con-
ference is being anxiously watched
there. According to the correspond
ent of the Times, Chancellor Wirth
has stated that If the conference
breaks down Germany will be at the
end of her courage and must lay
down her tools,