RUHR CRISIS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17935, 1 December 1923, Page 13

RUHR CRISIS.

NEW ECONOMIC UNIT.

BRITISH RIGHTS IN DANGER.

("THS TIMES.' ) LONDON, November 29. 'TTie Times," in a leader, sajs that it is the urgent duty of the British Government to safeguard British European interests, in view of the extraordinary situation which has arisen through the creation of what is virtually a new political economic unit, in the wealthy region between unoccupied Germany and France.- France has chosen to carry out her policy, culminating in the agreement with the Ruhr industrialists, in the face of em-phatically-expres3ed disapproval of Great Britain.

From the inter-Allied viewpoint, Franca has shaken the foundation of the Treaty of Versailles. The general question of reparations haa obviously been postponed indefinitely. The French mu3t accept the consequences of their own deliberate action. "What no British Government can do is to forgo Great Britain's claims in Europe.

THE BRITISH VIEW. GERMANY LACKS BIG GUNS. (ar cable—rp.Esa association —copmioht.) (AUSTSAUAN AND St.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 30th, 8 p.m.) LONDON, November 30. In connexion with General Bingham's comments on German armaments, the British viewpoint Ta that, although the Germans could probably arm about 300,000 reservists in addition to the Reichswehr, they do not possess artillery worth mentioning, or other equipment, Therefore war wjSh France now would be equivalent to mass suicide.

FRENCH IN BERLIN. UNENVIABLE SITUATION. ("the times.") LONDON, Novemuer 29. The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says that attention is being called to the uneviable situation of French officials in Berlin and other parts of unoccupied Germany. They are subjected to daily petty annoyances by German landlords; and tradespeople. Moreover, the French 100 frano note produces in Berlin only 6,000,000,000 marks, whereas it is worth 15'000,000,000 in Dusseldorf and at least 20,000,000,000 in Cologne. French officials in Berlin are therefore obliged to draw from their private resources in order to maintain their posir tion with becoming dignity.