Evening star., 1923-07-16
BRITISH TO IGNORE
FRENCH BLOWS TO
PREPARATIONS PLAN
Poincare Speech Not Re.
qarded as Definite Rejection;
U. S. to Get Draft of Reply.
FRANCE SEES EFFORT TO
REND VERSAILLES PACT
Fears International Commission Is
Merely Coalition of Groups
Opposing Her.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. July 16.-Prime Minister
Baldwin announced in the house OF
commons today that he would COM
nunicate to the United States Tor Ills
information the draft Of the reply ne
was preparing to the German repara-
ton note Mr.. Baldwin's statement
was made to J. Ramsay Macdonald,
the leader of the labor opposition, In
reply to the latter's question.
In reply to Commander Joseph Ken
worthy. another questioner. the prime
minister said the recent German note
on reparat!ons was addressed to the
United States as we'll as to the Brit
ish and allied governments. but that
no recent conversations had occurred
between representatives of the Brit
ish and United States governments In
regard to reparations or the present
European situation.
British hopes of assuming the allied
leadership in the negotiations for
reparations settlement with Germany
are considered here to have had a
serious setback during the week end
by reason of the speech which Pre-
nlier Poincare of France delivered at
Senlis Sunday. Nevertheless the Brit
ish officials who returned to Downing
street early today to resume the task
of drafting reply to the latest Ger
men offer were not so sure that the
situation was as gloomy as the news
from Paris seemed In indicate.
The British attitude as reflected in
official circles is that the least said
about the Poincare address the better.
1t is recognized that the atmosphere
of a war memorial unveiling was not
INIT a INV NJ N nj n a n
OF any change in French policies. and
the fact that Premier Poincare merely
reaffirmed the rigid French views
without making them any stronger
offered some little satisfaction and
encouragement.
To Draft Note. .s' =
The British, 1t Is indicated. will
proceed with the work of draftiRs
the note to be submitted to the allies
and the United States just as II NJ.
Poincare had not spoken his mind.
Lord Curzon, the foreign secretary,
arrived at the foreign office early this
morning, and the completed draft of
the document will probably go to the
cabinet tomorrow.
The French premier's announcement
has left the British undaunted in
their efforts to make proposals which
will be acceptable to the allies AS
for the French premier's expressed
fear that a new international repara-
tion commission would be nothing
more than "a coalition of the inter-
ests opposed to u.s." the British reply
Is that such a commission can easily
be formed with strict legal regard for
the treaty of Versailles IL the allies
are willing. They point to the prece-
dent of the bankers comm,ssion.
which undertook similar task last
year. :
Press Sees Rejection.
A bad impression was made here by
Premier Poincare of France in the
address he delivered at Senls yester-
day which is generally regarded as
an indirect reply to the outline of
Great Britain's reparations policy by
Premier Baldwin. There is widespread
disposition to treat 1t as an intended
rejection of the views which Mr.. Bald
win projected.
The only favorable comment in the
morning newspapers is made by the
Morning Post which favors mainten-
ance of the entente at all costs.
The Times thinks that NJ. Poincare's
speech was unfortunate and protests
his assumption that Great Britain no
longer supports the treaty of Ver-
salles.
The Daily News fears there Is little
hope that France will receive the
British proposals favorably. but dep
recates an attitude Of despair. The
Daily Express regards the speech as
putting an end to Great Britain's
thigh hopes" and urges the country
to cut loose from European connec-
tions.
The Daily Chronicle treats the speech
as finally slamming the door against
Great Britain and charges that France
is seeking nobodys interests but her
own, paying no regard to the manner
in which British industry is suffering
from her selfish action. :,
The Daily Herald. labor organ. de-
mands that Great Britain withdraw
all support from France, forgive Italy
and Belgium their debts. press France
TO pay hers and urge the United
States to join an international con-
ference to decide the amount of Ger
manys payment, abandoning, how
ever. any claim to the British share.
$500 K.
FRANCE TO KEEP GRIP.