POINCARE’S POLICY

Evening Star, Issue 18173, 13 January 1923, Page 4

POINCARE’S POLICY

THE RIGHTS OF FRANCE.

BRITISH PROPOSALS CRITICISED.

CHAMBER VOTES CONFIDENCE

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

PAMS, January 11. M. Poincare received an oration in tho Chamber of Deputies. Ho said: Franco is standing up in defence of her rights. A series of defaults authorises the Allies or any Ally to act. Wo are compelling respect for France and for the Versailles Treaty. We are able (o carry out the sanctions alone, but our Belgian friends wish lo remain on our side.

Referring to Mr Bonar Law s proposal to submit the reparations differences to international arbitration, lie replied that, ■no matter how powerful or honorable were tho international financiers, he had no desire to have them arbitrate on differences between Franco and England. M. Poincare said that under Mr Bonar Law's scheme France risked finding tha,t she would receive only eleven milliards of gold marks for reparations, whereas she had already advanced 100 milliards on this account. Moreover, tho British programme, with extraordinary imprudence, favored the rapid re-establishment of tho German industrial and commercial hegemony, with practically no internal foreign debt, and with reparations reduced to twenty milliards. Germany, in fifteen to _ twenty years, ■would be aWo to extinguish her debt and leave France to carry tho burden of her ruins, and Britain of her unemployment. The British programme proposed to establish, tho supremacy of Germany over the whole of Europe. M. Poincare made a bitter attack on Mr Lloyd George, whom he accused of trying to bring about war in. the Near East M. Poincare, m , concluding, said: England’s absence will render productive guarantees less productive, but it is better lo get a little than nothing at ail. Who has been fooled, —England or ourselves? In concluding his speech, M. Poincare demanded a vote of confidence, M. Blum (Socialist) protested against France's action as fraught with terrible consequences. Tins evoked angry expostulations, and members became so heated that the chairman was obliged' to suspend the sitting. Upon resumption, M. Erlich (Anti-Bol-shevik) protested against French Communists speaking in Essen. He suggested that they were in the Reichstag’s pay. M Couturier threw a handful of coppers'into M._Erlich’s face, and called him the Communists’ Judas. Uproar was renewed, resulting m a further suspension. When calm was restored, a vote ot confidence was passed in M. Poincare by 478 to 86. A. and N.Z. Cable. ESSEN OCCUPATION. BERLIN, January 11. The French completed their occupation of Essen in the aftenoon.-A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMANY'S DARK HOUR. INCIDENTS of OCCUPATION. BERLIN, January' 12. .(Received January 13, at 10.10 a.m.) Great crowds, with their faces set in an effort to maintain self-control, watched the French enter Essen. Occasional cries j of fury and pain were heard. Iho houses wore shuttered and shop blinds drawn. The population was sullen and resentful as it looked at the column of dark-blue uniformed and hehneted cyclists, armored cars, and cavalry. From sinister ears, in ] which no man was seen, protruded the muzzles of machine guns, as if saying to the crowd; “Remember, we are here. The silence with which the inwardly raging Westphalian workers regarded them seemed to answer: “We will remember to-day. Never fear.’’ . Despite tho menace of the maclune guns occasionally angry murmurs from the crowd broke tho general melancholy alenco. Many took no trouble to Lida their hatred for the armed men whoso triumphal ride tins was. Iho Fromm looked straight in front as if ceremonially parading, not sparing a glance for the fury of Die blazing eyes ol the ranked aiid angry men. The French behaved with absolute correctness. There was no hectoring and no jesting, but they rode as conquerors, the officers _ especially, though not provocative, suggesting pride and military pomp. The whole impression .given was of being present at the funeral of the people’s pride. At the Post Office the officer and troopers dismounted. Tlic latter _ barred the entrance and exit, imprisoning all . within. Tho infantry appeared and j cleared the pavement. The agitated Germans protested l , but they were swept aside coldly. An officer went in formally to take over tho administration, and within five minutes Essen was cut off from postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communication with the outer world. It was soon restored. The Germans temporarily imprisoned were released. General Rampon, commanding the occupying forces, subsequently demanded and held an interview with the burgomaster. named Luther. The general informed him that he did) not wish to place unnecessary burdens upon the people, and that when the various controls were in- | stituted in connection with the canals, railways, and post office the troops would bo withdrawn. Herr Luther replied that he could only take tho action forced upon him, as he was unable to offer resistance. Ho protested against Die French action in using military force against a disarmed and defenceless population. Ho said it was totally illegal. General Rampon replied that'he would note the protest. Ho then saluted and withdrew. Tho ‘Daily Mail’s’ Paris correspondent states that tho Ruhr hanks have followed the example ol the coal companies, and have rushed oil their deposits.—‘ Tho Times.’ BRITAIN STEADFAST. TRUK TO HER ALLIES. LONDON, January IL _ The British Cabinet discussed the position arising from the occupation of the Ruhr. It is authoritatively learned that no spectacular action liko the withdrawal of the British troops from the Rhine is contemplated. Britain will continue to be represented on the Reparations Commission and the Council of Ambassadors, thereby proving her earnest desire to act, as far as possible, in co-operation with France, while disapproving of the latter’s policy. Meantime she is awaiting the result of France’s action.—Reuter. BELGIUM BACKS FRANCE. NEW YORK, January 12. The New York ‘World’s’ Brussels correspondent interviewed tho Belgian Premier (M. Theunis), who stated that Franco had decided Lo cuter the Ruhr in order to lake the guarantees and pledges which she considered the indispensable counterpart of the moratorium that had been granted lo Germany. The Belgian Government thought the same way, for it must have reparations, and it was not possible to wait for thgm. It was employing this method of pressure, hcciuum for rears all conciliatory measures had failed, "if reasonable proposals were made to Belgium, she would always regard them favorably.—A, and N.Z. Cable. j AMBASSADOR LEAVES PARIS. PARIS, January 11. . The German Ambassador left without ) notifying his departure to the Foreign. Office, which consequently does not regard hia departure as a recall. —A. and N.Z, Cable.

COAL DELIVERIES STOPPED. BERLIN, January 11. The German Government announces that deliveries of coal to the Allies will be stopped, as it is impossible to continue them, while the French and Belgian authorities replace the Ruhr Coal Syndicate. Moreover, all coal which is forcibly extracted must ho paid for by the Governments responsible. —• A. and N.Z. Cable. PARIS, January 12. (Received January 13, at 10 a.jn.) The ‘Petit Barisien’s’ Berlin correspondent states that Cabinet ban ordered tfho Coal Syndicate ?jt Hamburg; to oeaso delivery of coal, on ataoount of reparations. A member of tho syndicate says that a notablo decrease in coal production and a dearth of fuel in Germany must bo expected. Large importations off English ooal are probable. The Maycnco correspondent of the ‘ Echo do Paris ’ states that Herr Thyssen, the great industrialist, says; “Tho Coal Syndioale’s action was taken with Cabinet’s approval.’’—A. and N.Z. Cable. EFFECT ON BRITISH COAL TRADE. LONDON, January 12. (Received January 13, at 10 a.m.) British coal owners, anticipating increased orders from tho Continent in consequence of tho Ruhr dislocation, are considering a proposal that the miners should revert to tho eight-hour day in. order to meet tho new demand. —A, and N.Z. Cable. NATION IN MOURNING. BERLIN, January 12. Sunday will be a day of national mourning. Amusements will cease, and flags will bo half-masted. Special services will bo held in tho churches. The trade unions, also, are stopping work for half an hour on Monday, while the Communists urge a general strike to fight both, tlie French and tho Cuno Cabinet.—A. and N.Z. Gable. REPARATIONS COMMISSION. AMERICAN OBSERVER’S POSITION. i NEW YORK, January 11. Tho Government has intimated that Mr Boyden will not bo recalled for the preKent. His withdrawal will depend entirely upon the interests of tho United States—namely, when it is felt that ho can no longer bo of value, be will bo recalled.— J A. and N.Z. GableP'his anouncemcnt is in reply to a demand ,in the Senate for the recall of Mr Boyden, who is America’s official observer on the Reparations Commission.] FRANCE AND AMERICA.

NEW YORK, January 11,

Tho ' New York Times’s ’ Washington correspondent slates : “It is understood that the door is still open for the acceptance of Mr Hughes’s Financial Commission proposal, if Franco wishes to accept it. There are some indications that T rance may moderate her plans for the occupation of the Euler, and may not go as far as sho originally intended. Hope is still not abandoned that Franco may see the light. M. Jueserand and Mr Hughes conferred for an hour, but the nature of tho conversations has not been disclosed. Paris reports that Franco had not 'understood that a formal exchange "N views between Mr Hughes and M. Poincare was conducted through M. Jusscraud are not taken seriously in official circles here.” —A. and N.Z, Gable.

January 12. The ‘New York Times’s’ Washington correspondent telegraphs: “Dr Otto Wiedfcldt (tho Ambassador) delivered the German Government’s protest against tho Rhur invasion to Mr Hughes this evening, hut it is believed that the United States does not intend to use tho German protest as a basis for any representations to tho Allies.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMANY’S PORTEST. WASHINGTON, Jamiaiw 12. Tho Slate .Department has published the Gorman protest, which alleges that the Treaty of Versailles does not permit tho Ruhr occupation because of Germany’s defaults in tbo deliveries of wood and coal. They would, according to the Note of the Reparations Commission of* March 21, 1922, only justify demands for subsequent payments. Tho Versailles Treaty docs not admit of any territorial sanctions, and the measures allowed by the Treaty against Germany can only be applied by the Allied Powers as a _ whole, and not by single Power’s of their own accord. Germany does not intend to meet violence with violence, nor to reply to a breach of tbo Treaty by withdrawing from the Treaty; but so long as a state of affairs that is contrary to the Treaty exists, Germany is not in a position to make actual reparations to those Powers which brought about this state of affairs.---A. and N.Z. Cable.

REICHSTAG SITTINGS,

FRENCH AND BELGIAN JOURNALISTS

TO BE EXCLUDED.

PARIS, January 12 (Received January 13, ,at 9.10 a.m.)

lb is reported that tho German Government has decided not to admit French and Belgian journalists to_tho sittings of tho Reich-stag.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

QUIET AT ESSEN

STRIKE PROPOSALS

LONDON, January 12, (Received January 13, all 9.25 a.in.)

(Messages from lessen arc reassuring. Although tho papulation is very excited, no disorders are reported. The Ammonia Syndicate, following the example of the Coal .Syndicate, lias transferred its headquarters from Bochum to Hamburg. The Ruhr railway-men will join in a strike on Monday. Nearly all the employees arc supporting the workers.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE HAND OF FOCH,

MILITARY RULE UNOBTRUSIVE.

PARIS, .January 12, (Received January 13, at 10 a.in.)

General Degoutte says that bo intends to inaugurate a new kind of military occupation—namely, invisible occupation. Judging Ihy tlio absence of military demonstrations in tbo streets (ibis Bias succeeded. The ‘ Journal ’ says; Marshal I'och s hand is seen in all this occupation, which is civil rather than military, and it depends on the Germans whether Franco exercises pressure or not. —-A. and N./b Cable. SMOULDERING RESENTMENT. PARIS, January 12. (Received January 15, at 9.10 am.) Notwithstanding the external, calm, the occupation) of Essenis undoubtedly fiercely resented. —A. and N./. Cable.