EXTREMELY CRITICAL

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 105, 19 January 1923, Page 5

EXTREMELY CRITICAL

SITUATION IN GERMANY REAL STRUGGLE BEGINNING GRAVE SERIOUSNESS ON BOTH SIDES WAITING FOR THE NEXT FRENCH MOVE The situation in Germany is reported to be critical in the extreme, both sides being grimly serious. The industrial chiefs have declared an economic war, and the whole of Ruhr is waiting, in a state of tense excitement, for the next move by France. According to a French statement, the military operations have concluded, and future sanctions will be economic.

By Telegraph— Press association. —COPYRIGHT. (Rec. January 18, 9.10 p.m.) London, January 17.

Mr. Renwick, the “Daily Chron-

The correspondent adds that the says the situation is critical in the extreme. Tho real struggle is now beginning. There is grim seriousness on both sides. The industrial chiefs have declared an economic war. The whole of the Ruhr is waiting in a state of tense excitement for the next French move. The unity among the workers is as great as that in tho ranks of the employers. The Christian Trade Union of Miners, the second largest union in Germany, announces: “1A e have had enough experience of military regime during the war, and are not going to stand it in peace tir>i.” Other trade unions have intimated that they will stand firm against all French orders. The cf>rrespoitU en t afdds that the delegates at the conference at. the Allied Headquarters were astonished at the gaucherie of the French generals, who bluntly refused to allow the Germans to say a single word. The comments of the trade union delegates ns they left, the conference were most angry. It is announced that if an attempt is made to seize the coal the railway workers will immediately strike. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

END OF MILITARY OPERATIONS FUTURE SANCTIONS TO BE ECONOMIC (Rcc. January 18, 9.10 p.m.) Paris, January 17. Reuter's Dusseldorf correspondent says a French official statement declares that the military operations have concluded. Future sanctions will bo economic, not military. The French now control and regulate the coal traffic. The Germans to-day offered deliveries of coal to Italy, but the latter, acting in conjunction with France and Belgium, declined. In consequence of the Germans not complying with the order to resume deliveries, the French are requisitioning coal and are proceeding to take measures against individual industrials. The. mines are working normally. There is no indication of trouble. There are reports that the magnates, in expectation of arrest, are frantically sending their jewels and securities to Berlin.—• Reuter.

STRUGGLE OF ENDURANCE GERMAN PEOPLE BEING . PREPARED (Rec. January 18, 7.15 p.m.) London, January 18. The ‘‘Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent says the German Government and people are preparing the nation for a grim struggle of endurance. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FUTILITY OF ARMED OPPOSITION FRENCH READY FOR ANY SITUATION London, January 17. The “Daily Mail’s”- Dusseldorf correspondent states that the French have completed plans for dealing with any situation that may arise. The belief prevails throughout the Ruhr that an advance is likely on Munster. It is rumoured that tho forces of tho Reichswehr there may attempt armed opposition. The madness of such an enterprise is apparent to any one who has watched the march of the perfect-ly-equipped French Army, with “seventy-fives,” howitzers, machineguns, armoured cars, and tanks following closely the cavalry and infantry regiments.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. PREPARED TO GO TO BERLIN TO MAKE INDUSTRIALISTS ALTER ATTITUDE / London, January 17. A prominent member of the French mission told the. “Times” Dusseldorf correspondent; “There is nothing 1 we arc not prepared to do to oblige the industrialists to abandon their present, attitude, oven to go to Berlin, if necessary.—“ The Times.” INDUSTRIALISTS. STAND FIRM WILL OBEY GOVERNMENT’S ORDERS Paris, January .17. The Gorman industrialists met at Dusseldorf and declared that they would not deliver coal. The Stinnes representatives said they would go to prison rather than disobey their Government’s orders. The “Petit Parisien’s” Berlin correspondent says that following their interview with tho French Generals and engineers, the industrialists ol tho occupied region approached the Government. seeking instructions. 1 hoysaid that while they were disposed to confirm the Government's decrees, the position was most difficult. They drew attention to the grave crisis which

would result from a strict observance of the decrees ol the Government. A semi-official Note declares that Germany will refuse to negotiate as long as French and Belgian troops remain in- the Ruhr. —Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.

REQUISITIONING TO BEGIN IF DELIVERIES ARE NOT COMMENCED London, January 17. Tho “Times” Paris correspondent says: “Tn view of the German resist<nice,< France is definitely determined to begin requisitioning on Wednesday, unless the owners agree to commence deliveries of coal and the collection of the coal tax. France ig also contemplating the establishment of a Customs cordon round the Ruhr and the issue of special municipal coinage tor the Ruhr alone. The money presumably will only be issued in event, of the owners’ refusal to pay wages.” Thu Tinies.” RHINE STATE FORESTS TO BE EXPLOITED (Rec. January 19, 1.20 a.m.) Paris, January 18. Orders have been given for the immediate exploitation of the State forests on the left bank of the Rhine, as a, sanction for default in timber deliveries. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONTROLLING COAL EXPORT (Rec. January 18, 7.15 p.m.) London, January 18. A. French commission has arrived at Port Emden to control the export of coal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANTICIPATED COAL YIELD NUMBER OF TROOPS IN OCCUPATION Paris, January 17. The “Petit Parisien” says that while only 3000 tons of coal have hitherto btten diverted to Allied countries, it is hoped rapidly to attain 15,000 tons of coal and 15,000 tons of coke daily. As a ton of coke is reckoned, at double, the demands should yield about 1,350,000 tons of coal monthly. M. Poincare has informed the United States Government that the total number of troops in occupation is 45,000. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ORGANISATION OF BUFFER , STATE "MATIN’S” WARNING TO BERLIN “ Paris, January 17. The “Matin” warns Berlin of the consequences of its attitude, recalling the fact that ten million Germans in the Rhineland and Ruhr are economically independent of the rest of Germany, and pointing out that a solution can be found by organising the Rhineland and tho Ruhr into a buffer State under international control, from which tho Allies can obtain reparation payments without affecting the prosperity of these region,. The “Echo National” says: “Unless Germany yields, France will be forced to carry out her entire plan by establishing a Customs cordon east of the Ruhr and along tho right bank of tho Rhine, rendering herself mistress of the economic relations of tho Ruhr and Rhineland, and also of the rest of Germany.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

COALOWNERS SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE COURTMARTIAL (Rec. January 19, 7.15 p.m.) Paris, January 18. Six of the principal coal-owners, who were given an order to requisition yesterday, have been summoned beford a court-martial, but not arrested. Others are being summoned. The Reich Commissary for coal unexpectedly arrived at Essen and had a long conference with delegates of the Separations Commission. The result is not known. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH ORDERS NOT TO BE OBEYED (Rec. January 18, 9.10 p.m.) Berlin, January 17. Tho “Lokal Anzeiger” says a conference between representatives of the Government, the mine dirctors, and the miners’ unions unanimously decided not to obey the French orders in the Ruhr.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STINNES CANCELS IRON ORE CONTRACTS

(Rec. January 18, 7.15 p.m.) Paris, January 17. Reuter’s Dusseldorf correspondent states that lie has learned from a good source that owjng to the occupation of the Ruhr Horr Hugo Stinnos has cancelled contracts for iron ore with Canadian companies, consequently 2200 workers in Newfoundland are likelv to be rendered idle.. —Reuter.

STINNES COMPANY MOVES TO HAMBURG Berlin, January 17. The Stinnes Company has removed its headquarters from MueJieiin to Hamburg.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPARATIONS DELIVERIES TO CONTINUE TO BRITAIN AND ITALY (Rec. January 19. 1.20 a.m.) Berlin, January 18. Although the reparations deliveries to France and Belgium have ceased it la stated that the/ trill continue to be

made to Britaihj Italy, Jugo-Slavia, and Poland.—Reuter.

OUTBREAKS AT DORTMUND

BETWEEN NATIONALISTS AND COMMUNISTS

(Rcc. January 18’, 9.10 p.m.)

Paris, January 17. Various outbreaks between Nationalists and Communists at Dortmund were reported to-day. The French do not intend to interfere unless they are attacked. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DEFENCE OF REALM MEASURE

(Rcc. January 19. 1.20 a.m.)

Berlin, January 18. The Government is introducing a Bill similar to the Defence of the Realm Act. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITISH UNEMPLOYED DESIRE WORK AT RUHR

DEMAND FOR WELSH COAL (Rec. January 13, 7.15 p.m.) London, January 17. Hundreds of unemployed are besieging the French Consulate at Liverpool desiring to work in the Ruhr mines. Officials of the consulate are awaiting official instructions, and can do nothing. Owing to American and French demand, the coal ports at South Wales are crowded with ships, of which 115 have arrived during the last throe days and 315 vessels are now in dock. Forty-eight steamers are unable to find berths.—Reuter. * ' (Rec. January 18, 9.10 p.m.) London, January 17. Another Liverpool report states that unemployed besieging the French Consulate are seeking to join the French army in the Ruhr, but the French Embassy in London announces it is mostly unlikely that any English recruits can be utilised. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DEMORALISATION OF THE . MARK

ON NEW YORK EXCHANGE

(Rec. January 18, 11.5 p.m.) New York, January 17. The almost total demoralisation of the German mark ’bccurred on the foreign exchange market here, following the further penetration of the french into the Ruhr. The mark has dropped approximately to 21,000 for the dollar. Many exchange dealers now decline to accept any business in German exchange,, alleging that the mark has long since passed a point where there is a possibility of speculative recovery. In tho meantime there is an active demand for actual paper marks in New York, but they cannot be purchased for less than approximately double the current exchange quotations. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE AMERICAN OBSERVER GOVERNMENT SATISFIED WITH ACTIVITIES (Rec. January 18, 11.5 p.m.) New York, January 17. The New York “Times” Washington correspondent says Mr. Hughes sent a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee giving a detailed account ot Mr. Boyden’s activities, in accordance with Senator Robinson’s resolution asking for such information and the suggestion of an appointment of an official American member of the Reparations Committee. It is understood the letter, which has not been published, points out that the Government is well satisfied with Mr. Boyden’s activities, and ha« no intention of recalling him. ‘Hie Administration also feels tnat it is inadvisable at this time to appoint an official representative. A Commission, of Inquiry Jias developed the fact that the United States is not now co-operating with Britain or Italy in any effort to bring pressure to bear on France. It is understood the German Government has informed tho French that if they penetrate into towns where active groups of Landwehr are assembled, there will bo danger of conflicts, though this is in no manner countenanced by the German Government. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable A esn.

IF ARMED RESISTANCE IS FEASIBLE SOVIET MAY ASSIST GERMANY. (Rec. January 19, 1.20 a.m.) London, January 18. A reliable message from Afoscow declares that the Soviet has decided to mobilise five years’ conscripts, intending to assist Germany if armed resist•ance to the French occupation becomes feasible.—“ Tho Times.”