THE VOICE OF LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 7

THE VOICE OF LABOUR

FRENCH POLICY DEPLORED

BRITAIN URGED TO CONTINUE

HER EFFORTS.

(Received 25th August, 11 a.m.)

LONDON, 24th August. A joint meeting of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress and the Executive of the Socialist Party passed a resolution deeply depl/iring France's intention to continue the military occupation of the' Ruhr, its rejection of an impartial inquiry into Germany's capacity to pay, and of the fixation of- the total of reparations. The resolution, appeals to the Flench Labour and Socialist movement to work for a more conciliatory, policy and a settlement of the re-

parations problem' by negotiation, on the ground that if despair due to the occupation leads to violence and loss, of life, all Europe will suffer, and the wdVld will again see the spectacle of brute force, failing to realise what commonsense and goodwill might achieve by negotiations.

After hearing the report on the Ruhr by Mr. T. Shaw, M.P., the resolution says the meeting declafes that the people of the Ruhr would support a reasonable settlement if they were treated as free men and women, and the menace of military oppression was removed. It is believed. that passive resistance is not due to the behest of Berlin, but is a spontaneous manifestation by the people against military dictatorship. Tlie .resolution urges the British Government to persist in its efforts to bring about negotiations for a fina! settlement of the reparations question between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany. '