Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-15

London, Dec. I4-(By the A. P.)-- Premier Bonar Law, in the house or commons today declared frankly for tn1 policy of the Bahour note, which ad- vocated adjustment of inter-alAcd debts by an all-round cancellation, England on her part surrendering her share of repa- rations to be paid by Germany.
 Thus the prime minister indicated that tho new government, despite it's first dec laration that the Balfour note, no longer existed SD far as the present British gov ernnnent was concerned and that it would net consider itself bound by. 1t, feels im- pelled to the new policy as the previous government. -..-.-\ \--s---
 Tho remainder of Mir. Bonar's Laws speech was clearly addressed to both France and the United States-to France, q plea for moderation in dealing with Germany, on the ground that that coun- try is already on tho verge ot collapse i; to America call for help, and .co-opera- tion in settling the difficult problems of reparations and inter-allied debts.
 Another important phase of his speech was the dark picture drawn of Englaud's economic and industrial future, should the Juch hoped for improvement in trade not materlallze.
 The prime minister showed tho utmoss anxiety that there should be no misun- derstanding British feelings towards both brance and the United States and said that 1t was only England's difficult po- ition he was making clear. England was burdened with very heavy taxation, which was q clog on industrial enter prise, resulting in terrible unemployment -a problem that made it necessary first that there should be no military occupa- ton of German territory, which would stiit further handicap European trade without producing results in cash, and, second compelled him frankly to face the Jaet that England was unable to Day rne American debt If sho received nothing rom Europe, he said.
 Strong points in the speech were the lnfairness Of the view that because Eng lRnd had made sacrifices to pay her way she should De expected to pay her debts, while others who had made no such sac s,lces escaped,. and the warning that too sudden deflation in Germany might pro 1uce there all the evils of unemployment from which other countries arc already In tho subsequent debate the most noteworthy contribution was by James Ramsay MacDonald, the labor leader MT Lloyd George also spoke, but confined himself to a brief expression of complete approval of Mfr. Bonar Laws speech
 MT. Macdonald. gave a coriplete clue. ldation of the policy of the labor party He maintained that the United, States held the key and was the only country tble Co give Great Britain any thelp
 Declaring that Eeparations were curse 10 both those who paid and those who re- eelyed. the labor leader said the rea question was not what Germany was able to pay, but what the allies could af lord to receive, and even if Germany ro0ld pay tho full amount demanded, fl would not be to Che advantage of the al. lies to receive 1t. France must remember that England had her owil trade to con. slider, and while threats of military pen alties were mixed up with economic aim, peace would be impossible, he added,
 ID. D. MOrel, noted pacffisf, main taihed that it would be ridiculous to ga, that Germany had>paid nothing, and de clared that, including the cost of tn armies of occupation, her actual cSsl payments, coal deliveries, surrendere, mercantile marine and other. ways Ger many had already paid the equivalent O 1000. .000. 900 pounds or quadruple the in demnity France paid in 1870.
 Great unanimity was displayed in sup port of the government throughout tn, whole debate. The submission of ques lions drafted by agreement between MT Macdonald, Mir. Asquith and Mir, IAoy, George, was complete novelty in parlia mentary procedure, especially as tn questions had been shown to the prim minister in advance. Similarly, afte ALr. Bonar Laws speech. MT. Asquitl and MT. Lloyd George had consultation and agreed that there was no occasion fo them to speak as they were in aoeor' with the prime minister's pronouncemeni Lloyd George, in fact, tore up his note and only took part in the debate t6 repl to Mir. MorePs crlticisms
 Mr., Bonar Law, as usual, spoke with out any notes or any prepared documents The opinion In the Iobbies was that thi unusual unanimity would oe without in huence on tho adjourned conference t be held in Paris. January 2.
 In outlining the British policy towar Germany, Mir Bonar Law said that, tn government was not thinking of pas mistakes or of enmity, but only destre To find the best method of ascersalning tn amount Germany could pay. ~
 "I Germany ever does recover" h added, "she will be in far better pos tlon to pay these indemnitics than W should be to pay our debt 10 Amer4cs That Is a fact"
 Pointing out that the result of th most terrible misfortune for German, nambely, the destruction of her middl classes, has been that Germany's intern al debt was wiped out, the premier said 'If the Germans ever do recover the will b efree from that terrible burden ( internal debt that falls on us"
 They are sure to recover some day hs continued, "and the sole problem fC consideration is how we can get a legit mate debt paid whilst doing the least poi sibls injury to the rest of tho world an to Germany"
 He admitted tAat all th6 ep~un. Hhowed Germany to be very near q con pleto collapse. and that no improveme1 wax possible until the mark was stabi lzed.
 'fBut tho tragedy, is' fe said, eth: every economist agrees that that yer qualification will in itself produce co lapse of industry to that which we haI already experienced"
 The prime minister concluded by d slaring there was Q feeling of triendshl for France throughout Great Britai and the strongest desire that Eigland ar France work i1 eo-operation, but it W; possible to look with equanimity upc any course which, instead of producir Inc payment of reparations, would mal difficult if not possible, to get them. xhoHafauA nn trusted h1ttar EpTarl