FRANCO-GERMAN ACCORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 218, 12 September 1923, Page 5

FRANCO-GERMAN ACCORDS.

FINANCIAL BASIS. RUHR RESISTANCE TO CEASE. MEETING BETWEEN MAGNATES. HERR STINNES' AID. (By Cubic-Press Association—Copyright., ifieeeivcil 10 a.m.) LONDON, September 11. 'ibe Paris correspondent of the "DailY telegraph says the public mind Is plainly being prepared for Franco-Ger-1 man economic accords. As it is realised no \ reparations money can bo obtained from Germany for several years, the question ot including such accords in the reparation settlement must be considered l.v economic experts, pointing out to M. loincnre that be must noi consider reparations or economic agreements as distinct. Some argue that such agreements alone nngut be sufficient to redeem expenditure on the reconstruct ion of devastated areas. Some authorises are even discnss.ng agreements entailing exchanges of labour.—(Rcuter.) UNDERSTANDING WANTED. RUHR AND RHINELAND. 'UNDER GERMAN RULE." (Received 2 p.m.l BERLIN", September 11. The German Government's policy in the Ruhr was explained to a. deputation from the International Women's League of Peace and Liberty by Herr Sollmann on behalf of the Chancellor. Horr Sollmann said the pivot of the present situation was a Franco-German understanding, with the cognisance of the other Entente States. A FrancoGerman understanding must be reached very shortly, otherwise the whole, of Central Europe would be endangered. He said: "We are ready to enter into any agreement with the Entente, especially France, that will ensure the Ruhr an<l the Uhineland being shortly again under full German control. This is only attainable by the great exertions of German economic life. We are ready to I make these exertions, but we refuse, to j agree to any conditions which would I mean the dismemberment of the Reich. Germany's desire for an understanding is greatly hampered by French speeches demanding unconditional capitulation in the Ruhr. It is the task of the friends of peace to influence French policy to enter the path of understanding in the few weeks that are still remaining."— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

rELUITGEB-S FINANCE. A NEW BANK. SUGGESTED GERMAN PANACEA (Received 11 a.m.) BERLIN, September 10. The Cabinet has decided to endeavour to solve the currency problem by the establishment of a gold and note bank, which will legally be independent of Stn.tc finances but closely connected with the Keichsbank. It is hoped tlie. institution will commence operations at an early date.— (Renter.) A DIRECT OFFER. CONCESSIONS SUGGESTED. LONDON*, September 11. The Berlin, correspondent of the Central Xeu's Agency states that the fJernian Cabinet has decided to send representatives to Paris, to ascertain the extent to which the French Government is prepared to make concessions to German copulations in occupied territory if they discontinue passive resistance. Direct negotiations between France and Germany are believed to be imminent. According to private advices from Paris received by the "Westminster Gazette," Herr Hiiro Rtinnes, beading a party of German magnates, spent Monday at Coblcnz, negotiating with French industrialists. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent in Berlin states that Dr. Stresemann will reply to sf. Poincare on Wednesday, in a Bpeecll of the utmost importance which is specially designed to carry matters a {rood step further. "I am reliably informed," adds the correspondent, '-that, the puecch "ill be immediately followed by an important Xote to the Allies. There is every sign that Dr. Stresemann is determined to achieve something noteworthy this week." Tlio Berlin correspondent of the •Times says that though it is denied that Germany has opened negotiations with France to terminate the Ruhr struggle, it is widely admitted that the outlines of a scheme have been formulated in readiness for a suitable opportunity. . onpr or ]ater G<:r . ftraits will compel the Government to approach France finds expression in the "Voerieche liblc circles both in Berlin and the Ruhr. A financial debacle can only be averted by bnlanoinff the Budget, which is impossible while passive re* stance U eub-sidised.-(A. and >.Z. Cable.)