PREMIERS’ DECLARATIONS.

Before detailing the afternoon’s proceedings it will be well to give the declarations of the two Prime Ministers which brought the Conference to a close, and in both of which this spirit of continued mutual friendliness is emphasised. Mr. Bonar Law’s declaration was as follows:

His Majesty’s Government, after giving the most serious consideration to the French proposals, are definitely of opinion that these proposals, if carried into effect, will not only fail in attaining the desired results, but are likely to have a grave and even disastrous effect upon the economic situation in Europe. In these circumstances they cannot take part in or accept responsibility for them. His Majesty’s Government at the same time desires to assure the Government of the Republic that, while regretting extremely that there should be an irreconcilable difference of opinion on a subject so serious, the feeling of friendship on the part, not only of the British Government, but, as they believe, of the British people towards the Government and the people of France remains unchanged.

M. Poincaré said: The French Government have for their part examined very attentively and very carefully the British proposals, and the longer they have studied them the more they have felt obliged to recognise that the proposals would involve, together with a considerable reduction of the debt due to France, the overthrow of the Treaty of Versailles, and that it is impossible for them to accept such a solution. The Government of the Republic keenly regret their inability to agree with the British Government on this serious question, but thank the British Government for their friendly declaration, and can assure them that in spite of this difference of opinion the sentiments of the French Government arid nation towards England will remain unchangedly cordial.