FRANCE IN RUHR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 5

FRANCE IN RUHR.

SEIZURE OF CASH. GERMAN COMMERCIAL RESISTANCE. (Br Cable. —rress Association.—Copyright.) (RecplveO 0 a.m.) PARIS, P'ebniarv 26. The French authorities seized 1.5.000,000,000 marks on the Berlin Cologne express within the occupied area. It i.- believed that the money was intended lor the payment of "Ruhr striker?, but the Germans say that it was intended for the British soldier* in Cologne.

A raid was carried out on the Bochum Chamber of Commerce with the object of throwing light upon the organisation of German methods of commercial resistance.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.) BRITISH LABOUR DIVIDED. FRENCH ACTION DISCUSSED. LONDON, February 26. The "Morning Post" states that a split in the Labour party is developing in connection with the Ruhr situation. Officially the Independent Labour party supports Germany. Its organs, the "New Leader" and the "New Statesman," for weeks have been denouncing France violently. Communists similarly are denouncing France, but "The- Forward," which is the Glasgow Socialist orean, is now protesting against anti-French bellicosity, and is urging that it is an incitement to war with the people or France. Some Communist organs are also denouncing the anti-French movement as the work of war-mongers, who should be expelled from the working class movement.

The "New Leader" advocates a world conference, but admits that it is doubtful if France would attend, as it would result in France being put in the dock before a world tribunal.— (A. and N.Z.)

BOCHTJM RAID DETAILED. LOXDON, February 26. Tho ''Daily Chronicle's" Cologne correspondent reports that French troops sacked the Chamber of Commerce in Boelium. Several hundred men broke into the building, burst open safes, desks and drawers, and carried away the contents or threw them into the street. They ripped curtains from windows, pulled up carpets, tore portraits of expresidente of the Chamber from the walls, and cut them into ribbons. The v furniture was then heaped upon a score of motor lorries, with which the raiders ■withdrew. Xo explanation was given for the raid.

There was also extensive requisitioning in Bochum during the week-end, and many bicyclee were carried off. — (A. and X.Z.'Cable.)