A GERMAN OFFER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 220, 14 September 1923, Page 5

A GERMAN OFFER.

DR. STRESEMANN'S PLAN. NEGOTIABLE PLEDGES. BERLIN, September 13. The German Chancellor, Dr. Streseniann, replying to M. Poineares speech of September 0 contended that the pledges Germany now offered were real negotiable assets, which went beyond the mortgages provided in the Treaty of Versailles, and that France would come into immediate possession of large sums. 'Vrniimy must, however, first lie given the right to administer the Ruhr and recover her sovereignty in the Rhineland. These pledges were capable of solving the question of passive resistance, provided an assurance was given that on such an understanding the Ruhr would be evacuated and the Rhineland be given its former rights. If they received an nssurance that everyone whose home was in the Rhineland and the Ruhr would be restored there was no reason why the region should not regain its former zest for work. He trusted that such a settlement would be possible. The government had been assured by leading representatives of industry and finance that they would take their share in obligations in connection with the proposed scheme. The possibility of an understanding depended whether a suitable atmosphere could be created. He hoped that France's rulers would share the view that it was now necessary to secure peace by a policy of justice which would be calculated to dispel national passions nnd thus give a guarantee for lasting peace. Addressing representatives of the German Press, Dr. Stresemann said that, clearly n solution of the Ruhr trouble could not be achieved solely by continuance of passive resistance nor by a policy of force. The Government would do a. great service if it could shorten tlie Ruhr dispute, but feelers hitherto extended showed the difficulties existing. Tlie question of the sovereignty of the Rhineland and regaining the freedom of the Ruhr was decisive to Germany, who was ready to give real guarantees for it. The Berlin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" states that Dr. Stresemann intimated that the Government intended to take a first mortpaire to a definite proportion of value on all State and certain private property. This would he transferred to a trustee company, in the administration of which representatives of creditor States could participate. The company could raise loans on the basis of mortgage interest, through the issue of debentures, whereby Germany would be able to Day a large sum immediately, thus fulfilling France's conditions for the evacuation of the Ruhr. The "Westminster Gazette's' correspondent states that Dr. Stresemann added that if large immediate payments were to be senired, acceptance of the offer must be prompt. He offered to see passive resistance come to an • immediate end if France necepted the offer or provided suitable guarantee for future evacuation. — (A. and N.Z.) FRANCE'S FIRMNESS. DIPLOMATIC INTERVIEWS. PARIS, September 13. In order to prevent misunderstanding regarding the nature of the present Franco-German relations, it is authoritatively emphasised that there has not, been any negotiation between the two Governments, through the French Kmbassy in Berlin, since the French Government refuses to negotiate until passive resistance ceased; but there have been interviews between M. de Margeric and Dr. Stresemann constituting the establishment of contact. It is not anticipated that the German Government will appoint an amba--.a.!,,r' to Pari- until negotiations can be opened ( V and X.Z. Cable.) _ .