DANGERS OF RUHR OCCUPATION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 13

DANGERS OF RUHR OCCUPATION.

FAILURE OF FRENCH PLANS. TEST OF GERMAN RESISTANCE. (BT CABLE —PRESS ASBOCIATIOX —COPYRIGHT.) I,AUSTBAIJA!J AND H.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received February lClli. 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The "Daiiy Telegraph's" Essen correspondent says the French occupation authorities have a delicate and difficult task at Essen. They are anxious to keep Essen at work, but they are meeting with provocation which is taking a dangerous turn. It is certain the French are bein£ sorely tried. Tilings seem to be moving in a way which may end the peaceful character of the occupation. Something like a goading spirit is discernible among sections of the population. The French troops are t>&dly billeted. Sabotage is assuming a new form. Some directors of the mines and coke ovens are destroying their own plants. Lieut.-Colonel C. A. Repington, writing in the "Daily Telegraph'' from Dusseldorfj says though the military part of the occupation of the Ruhr is well done and suited to the requirements, the same cannot be said of the civil and technical tide. If the reckoning of success or failure of the French policy depends on the amount of coal and coke received, France and Belgium must admit that the occupation hitherto has proved a dismal failure. Bujt without Aemyijif; 'the of Ruhr coke to Lorraino and Luxemburg, he i.!.>es not ttunlc it matters very much to the French if the Ruhr coal supplies fail. France hasJhpr own supplies, and can obtain more abroad. It is a question whether the deprivation of Germany of Ruhr coal will bring her to her knees. Germany is prepared for any event. The railways have 65 days' reserve supplies, instead of nominally live, and can use Silesian, English and American supplies. All the same, the i loss of the Ruhr output is a terrible blow to Germany and must in the end bring her to terms or catastrophe. The longer this economic warfare j the worse it will go for Germany, i Whether the German resistance will j last a month, a quarter, or half a year, | nono can say, but the French have taken up a position from which they cannot recede. If the frencK pressure remains steadyj France will win through. PARIB, February 16. The Foreign Office denies the German report regarding the blockade of Hamburg and Bremen, and that France has declared war on Germany. General Dcgoutte, with the approval of the Allied High Commissioners, has I forbidden the transmission of goods, except food, into unoccupied Germany. Special permits will be granted, in exceptional cases at a cost of ten per cent, ad valorem. (Received February Kith, 8.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 10. Tho Minister for AVar, speaking in the Senate, announced that fresh recruits would be necessary immediately, and also that the serving effectives would haui to be retained. Since the of operations in the Ruhr he h'ad been able to operate the greater I port of the railways, telegraphs, aud telephones with volunteers and troopis, but owing to the German i-e.-ietunce aad sabotage he had had to take over the whole of the transport and communications systems, for which, increased personnel was necessary. ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. PARIS PRESS CRITICISM. PARIS, February 15. The Press continues to sharply criticise Mr Bonar Law's speech on tho Ruhr occupation, especially the hint of British intervention if an opportunity occurs, which writers declare will encourage Germany in her resistance to France's legitimate claims. The "Petit Parisian" thinks the British Prime Minister would be well advised to declare unmistakably that Germany must never look to Great _ Britain to save her from the danger of destroying herself through her own obstinacy. The "Matin" accuses Lord d'Abernoa, British Ambassador at Berlin, of responsibility for Herr Cuno's aggressive attitude, declaring that Herr Cuno is not only Lord d'Abernon's relative, but also his friend. M. Tardicu, writing in tha "National Echo," says the present oonditions in Germany are entirely duo to England, who has proved careless of winning the peace, aud failed to exert moral force and influence on Germany. Great Britain had asked France to make sacrifices without a suggestion of proportionate compensation regarding reparation and security. MANIPULATING THE MARK. REICHBANK OPERATIONS. (BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND H.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.); (Received February 16th, 8.5 p.m.) BERLIN, February 16. It is understood the Government is aiming at an exchange parity of 15,000 marks to the dollar. The Reichsbank will persist in its policy of placing foreign currencies on the market, utilising money Bet aside fo- payment of reparation. Meanwhile the Stock Exchange is frantic, owing to the upsetting of market calculations. Some industrial stocks crashed -tO per uont. on Thursday. Moreover, the prices of food and other goods are not falling with the exchange, so prices arc ranging at i very high level. Another difficulty caused by the sudden deflation is that business men who borrowed marks against sterling deposits are being asked to znaku up tho deficiency, which is most difficult. [A previous message said: The (Continue! at foot J>t r°.rt .reilnwiTi,*

French, foreseeing that in tho near future it will brf necessary to flmwiee production in the occupied area, are trying to accumulate a reserve of paper marks. The Berlin financiers Imit. quickly grasped tho significance of the French orders to buy marks in New York and London, and have commenced to "bull" the mark. It now remains to be seen if tho Beichsbank aud itagents are strong enough to carry tinscheme through. The French, as v.a alternative, are ready to issue a special mark currency guaranteed by a fmnr credit in Paris. This will In- uii '.!>■• nioie easy because the production »\ coal and metals in the Buhr will '■: used as a guarantee for this i|ieci:»local currency.] EXCITEMENT ON PARIS BOURSE LONDON, February 10. The Paris correspondent of fl'-c "Daily Telegraph" says that tho financial market has boon buoyant for several days. To-day it was effervescent. Purchasers were so oager that it was dimcult to And all tho securities wanted, and prices went up by \<:u\is and bounds. The sterling exrhauge iu quoted at 77.83 francs to the ii. Tho stiffening of foreign currencies gave a new fillip to securities, but when the general financial and political situation is considered, the Bourse's remarkable activity does not indicate a sound situation, but fever. Turkish and even Bussiun funds advanced with everything elße. WHAT GERMANY HAS PAID. A FRENCH RECKONING. (Beceived Ternary 16th, 5.35 pjn.) WASHINGTON, February 16. The French Embassy announced that Geraiany had paid the Allies in rep.-ua-ffca in etui* and kind until Jauajrr Ist, 1923, 5,84:5,974,000 gold marks, or which marks was in cash. This total does not include paper marks requisitioned on account of the armies of occupation. Tho French share h 1 779,741,000 marks, to which must be added the value of the Saar mines, estimated at 3(50,000,000 gold marks. AN AMERICAN VIEW. (Received February Pith, 8.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 15. In tha Hoit* of Representatives, ilr Knutson charged France with trying to succeed Germany as a military despot. Ho called on tno United States Government to .tuition. i& dft-