The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-02
France Plans to Act


France Plans al; to Act
Paris, Nov. 28 tBy the Associat-
ned Press What action France
| intends to take with respect to Ger
man reparations, in the event the
brussels conference falls through, is
not officially disclosed, although de-
tails of the supposed plan of the
government are published very full
| ly by the Paris newspapers.
Two important meetings have
been held, one yesterday at Elysee
palace, at which President Miller
and presided. and those present
Iincluded Premier Poincare, Louis
Barthou, president OF: the repara-
! tons commission; Marshal Foch
various cabinet ministers and ex-
perts and the other, a full cabinet
council today.
An, official eonmunique issued af-
ter the cabinet council met, says:
NJ. Peincare informed the cab:-
net about the meeting held yester-
day. at Eiysee palace, with regard
to which the most inaccurate in
formation has been published
The foreign office. taking cogni-
zance of these reports, has author
lied the Associated Press to make
the following statement:
The information given in the
| French newspapers this morning
relative to the discussion at Elysee
palace; yesterday is very inexact.> As
t a matter OF fact no decisions were
taken in regard to what action
France would take il she failed to
Obtain satisfaction at Brussels.
What actually took place at yes
Iterday's meeting and at today's
lea binet session was an exchange OF
views. in preparation for the Brus-
jsefs conference. There was no
question Of the cabinet giving its
approval Of the plan this morning,
las reported.
The foreign Office would disclose
no details of the two meetings.
Paris. Nov. 2s.-tBy the Asso-
ciated Press) Although the ma
jority, of the members of the rep
arations commission are opposed to
Premier Poincare's plan for direct
action for the collection of the
German. indemnity, there is a grow
ing feeling that the French govern
|sment- will soon be in position
iwhere it viii he forced to take in
dependent measures against Ger
many.
| This impression is based on the
uncertainty as to whether the pro-
posed interallied financial confer
ence. at Brussels will actually take
place and the still greater uncer
tainty- over the prospects of agree
ment IF the meeting is called.
| Following the announcement of
the cabinets plan for occupation of
the Ruhr district in the event
France does not obtain satisfaction
before January is, the meeting of
preniers, which Will probably be
held in Paris early next week has
assumed considerably more:import-
|ance.
The presence Of Prime Minister
Bonar Law at the conference now
seems assured, but the participa-
ton of Premier Mussolini of Italy
is not yet confirmed.
M. Poincare has a definite plan
to place before the premiers, and
especially before Bonar Law. This
plan. which was approved at the
cabinet meeting today. provides for
q reduction of the German indem-
nifty to a reasonable figure, in re-
turn for cancellation Of the French
debt to Great Britain.
It also contemplates raising n
large international loan, half to be
devoted to stabiliZation of the Ger
man mark and the remainder to
payment OF reparations to France.
A moratorium OF several years
would. be accorded Germany but
the most rigid guarantees would
be exacted and commission on
reparations would exercise COM
piete control OF Germany's finan-
ces.
The Associated Press was inform
ed tonight by members Of the
French delegation to the commits
sion that unless such 4 plan is sub
stantialiy agreed to by the allies.
France will take the only other
course open to her, namely. seiz-
ure OF the products of the Ruhr
and absolute control OF the French
Rhinefand."
Naval Reduction Throws 1000 Out
Of Work.
ToI,;o oo+ on 1,,nrox;,o.+oy,