Mr. Snowden said in the interview that he disagreed with
the Conference with regard to two decisions in particular. He could not accept as satisfactory the arrangement by which, if Germany were unable to ensure from her industrialists the deliveries ordered by the Arbitral Commission, her failure would be regarded as wilful default, and would expose her to sanctions just as though there were a wilful default under the Treaty or the Dawes scheme. Secondly, he was profoundly dis- satisfied with the intention of the French and Belgian Governments to continue the occupation .:of the Ruhr. " I have never heard one reason or argument put forward to explain the continued occupation for a day after the Dawes plan is put into effect. It is wholly inconsistent- with that plan." We must add here that the Dortmund- Horde zone, which was occupied by the French, is being evaeuated at onee in-accordance with the promise given -by the French at .the Conference. Apart from the embarrassment of the continued Ruhr occupation, which, of course, exposes us to the possibility of bad feeling and consequent riots such as might jeopardize the Dawes scheme, there are other matters to be settled. The Conference naturally touched neither the question of the further disarmament of Germany nor that of inter-Allied debts. However, so far as it goes, the balance sheet works out 'handsomely on the profit side. Something which at one time seemed impossible has actually been accomplished, and that with good will on all sides.
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