South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-08
LAST EFFORT TO
FIX PREPARATION
WILL Be SOUGHT
French Independent Action
Likely if Allied Confer
ence Is Failure.
BRITISH POSITION CLEAR
POinCare's Political Existence
Doomed if Energetic Steps
Are Not Taken.

PARIS. Dec. 7-CBy \. P)-
Premier Poincare viii leave tomor-
row for London 10 attend the con-
ference Of allied premiers which Is
regarded by many here as the last
great effort to the entente TO reach
an agreement on Germany's repara-
tiOns bill before France sets out in
dependently to collect in her own
way.
The meeting is looked upon as in
many respects the most important
since the armistice, involving as Il
does the continuance of friendly CO.
operation between France and
Great Britain. A lesser, but none
the less important factor is the pre-
vailing impression that NJ. Poin-
cares political existence is at stake
in the policy for which the propos-
ed Brussels financial conference
stands.
Unless the premiers decide in
London 70 convene the Brussels
meeting. many observers believe VI.
Poincare will find his usefulness at
an end. Others think that the
Il
agreement at London Will proceed
to the execution of his plan for the
occupation of Ruhr valley and ex-
ploitation OF the occupied Rhineland
before making way for some one
else, but faith in the efficiency Of
this scheme OF penalties appears to
be decreasing in official quarters
and many say It will never be re-
sorted to.
French optimism ovGr the make
up OF the new British government
has given way lately to a feeling
OF pessimism in view OF certain de-
finite indications that Prime Minis
ter Bonar Law holds TO substantially
the same views on reparaions as
did Mr. Lloyd George.
British Position.
Although the British have dis
closed no stated policy since the re-
signation of Mr. Lloyd d-George. Pre-
mier BOnar-Baw seems TO agree
with his predecessor that Germany
should be given a long moratorium
from cash payments and that the
total OF the indemnity should be re-
duced and no military measures
should be used in attempts to force
Germany TO pay.
NJ. Poincare's much discussed
plan Of settlement. although with
held on the eve Of the last London
meeting because Of the sensational
Balfour note, - expected to be plac-
ed before the present meeting. but
IL appears he viii reveal il only in
It's broad outlines, reserving the de-
tailed plan for the Brussels confer
ence.
However. il is learned that the fol
lowing definite propositions while
not constituting the plan. Will prob
ably guide the French in their ar
guments IN London:
One-No moratorium 10 Germany
, without surrender Of productive
guarantees, such as mines and for
ests.
Two-Reduction of the German
indemnity TO form forty billion to flf-
~ million gold marks only on condi-
ton that there be a parallel reduc-
ton in the French and other allied
debts
Three-Revision Of the percen-
taSes of the German payments in
favor OF France. France at present
is entitled 20 81 per cent but would
claim Great Brita.n's % per cent IN
return for fixing the indemnity at
the suggested amount
Penalties for Default.
Four-Nhen the voluntary de-
fault Of Germany - definitely es-
taol.shed or when Germany refuses
10 carry out the financial reforms