OCCUPATION OF THE RUHR.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 7

OCCUPATION OF THE RUHR.

FRENCH ZONE EXTENDED. STRONG MEASURES IN BOCHUM. (BT CABLI—PBKS3 ASBOtIATIOK—COPYMOSX.) (AtJSTBAIJAK iKD Jf.Z. CABLS ABSOCUSIOX.) LONDON, February 27. A message from Berlin says a strong cordon of French troops has surrounded Bochum, where soldiers yesterday sacked the Chamber of Commerce, and all traffic has been suspended and shops closed. The municipal authorities have been arrested. Twelve thousand million marks were seized by the French from the BerlinCologne express when it arrived at Dusseldorf. A small portion was intended for the British authorities in the Rhirieland. The bulk was for the Ruhr branches of the Reichsbank. Besides Konigswiinter, the Flreach military control the railway station at Limburg-on-tahn, 23 miles north-west of Wiesbaden. The "Frankfurter &eitung" reports that French troops have occupied MOll- - 12 miles eastward of Coblenn. A message from Mayence says the German authorities refused to pliwe at the disposal of the British Railway Commission at Cologne offices required for the housing of the French commission. The thisseldorf correspondent of the "Matin" reports that two men, -one speaking fluent French, entered a bank aiul represented themselves as French financial agents, and demanded that all the florins held by the bank bo handed over, otherwise they would call in French troops. They were given several million marks' worth of florins, and left a i«ceipt with the bank manager, who presented the receipt an. hour later at the French office. He was then informed that lie had been cleverly hoaxed by two thieves. (Received February 28th, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 27. The ''Echo de "Paris" states that during the round-up at Essen of ' a quantity of arms and documents the French found 150 German agents-p*)-vocatetirs, and arrested them. It is alleged that the latter were acting at the instigation of the Monarchists, and had established their headquarters in the vicinity of the French camps. GERMANY'S COAL SUPPLY. (.Received February 55th, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, February 27. The Ooal Controller denies the Paris report that Germany Ms only a month's supply -of coal. He? says -the unoccupied parts of Germany are producing increasing quantities, thanks fo the miners working overtime, and large consignments are being received from abroad. '

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. LABOUR PARTY'S PROPOSAL. LONDON, February 27. The Labour Party has tabled' the following motion in the House of Commons: —"This House, believing _ that the peoples of Europe wish to maintain peace and pursue a 1 policy which wiU secure it, agrees to invite/ in the first instance, the French and Belgian Chambers of Deputies each- to appoint a committee representing all parties in order to exchange information and views with a similar committee of-this House, regarding the occupation of the Ruhr in relation to security for reparation." . , The Labour Party is endeavouring to have a Bimilar motion debated in the Paris and Brussels Chambers.

STATEMENT BY LORD CURZON. LONDON, February 27. Lord Curzon, Foreign Minister, m an address.to the Aldwich Cluli, expressed a wish that he could see daylight regarding the Ruhr. He believed the British people approved of the Government's attitiide in regard to the solution of the ! reparation problem. This would not lie solved by any individual nation. He looked forward to the day when it would be settled by international action. There were two features which encouraged that confidence, one was the, establishment of the League of Nations, and the other was Britain's improved, relations with America. _■