THE REPARATION PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17814, 13 July 1923, Page 9

THE REPARATION PROBLEM.

BRITISH CABINET'S POLICY. PARIS PRESS COMMENT. (BT CAHLE—PBES3 A3SOCIATIOK —COPTBIOHT.) U-USTSALIAS AKD 1T.2 CAULT. ASSOCIATION.) PARIS, July 11. The "Petit Parisien'' regrets that the British Cabinet, though desiring to guard tlie Anglo-French entente, is apparently planning independent diplomatic action with Germany. Great Britain h- thus prolonging and aggravating tiic situation which is encouraging German resistance in the Ruhr and their failure to pay reparations. Great Britain will commit a greater mistake if, just when the effects of pressure are being felt, she attempts to destroy them by intervention. The "Eclair" says:—"Great Britain may threaten us, but it is difficult to carry out the threats. It is odious that Great Britain should want to ill-treat her ally, France. Ever since the Armistice she has not ceased to spare Germany.'-' ACTS OF SABOTAGE. DISCOUNTENANCED BY BERLIN. COLOGNE, July 11. Acting on instructions from Berlin, tite president of the Rhine Province has issued an appeal to the population to refrain from acts of sabotage to which the Government is sternly opposed. FRANCE AND THE RUHR. BRITISH LABOUR M.P.'S CRITICISM. LONDON, July 11. Mr Ben Tillett, M.P. (Labour, Salford), addressing the Transport Workers' Conference, and basing his remarks on the visit of the trade union delegates to the Ruhr, said that he was pro-Fronch in disposition, but he regarded the French occupation of the Euhr as madness, and the outcome of a dilemma of statesmanship too cowardly to face the industrial and economic facts and the international situation. While the situation arose out of tho Treaty of Versailles, it was really promoted by sordid capitalists and war profiteers. The trade union delegates who visited the Euhr found the menace greater than they had anticipated. Our statesmen were now trying to burk the issue. We had got one of the strongest possible men, but unless backed by the working classes to resist war, he would be dragged in by diplomacy. If we were to be saved from war wo must save both Germany and France. Nothing but war or the threat of war would take France out of Germany. The workers must realise their responsibility. They must call on tho French and German workers to join them in preventing war. FOREIGN EXCHANGES STEADIER (Received July 12th, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. The foreign exchanges display a more confident tone. The rate on New York is 4.68| dollars to tho £, on Paris francs to the £, and on Berlin 1,150,000 marks to the £.