FRANCE AND GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 18257, 23 April 1923, Page 7

FRANCE AND GERMANY

BRITAIN’S POLICY, % OUTLINED BY LORD QUEZON. Press Association—-By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, April 20. Lord Buckmaster, in the House of Lords, asked for a Government statement _of policy in regard' to the Ruhr. He said): “Wo should make it plain to France that wo do not approve of her policy, which is fraught with danger, and imposes upon us g-reat and unnecessary disabilities. There is only ono possible way for the world to reach a settled condition, and that is through the enlarged operations of the League of Nations.” Lord Curzon, in reply, said that Mr Bonar Law’s terms offered at the Paris Conference and refused by France were more than generous. Ho doubted if they would or could have been made by any other Power. The suggested withdrawal of the British forces would not meet with any support from the Government, and would cause dismay among the Allies. _ Lord Gurzon said that the guiding principle had been to preserve the Entente. It was the basis of European recovery. The policy of neutrality had been of great value. It was bettor to do nothing than to do tiie wrong thing. After reviewing the declaration made by Franco and Belgium, and the suggestions by Germany since the occupation of the Ruhr, Lord Gurzon said that Germany had shown a capacity for resistance which surprised’ her opponents and her friends. Recent debates in the Reichstag showed that complete unity in favor of continuing resistance existed. Was there a situation in the world more difficult? The question to-day was: Who should _ take the first step with a view to securing a settlement? The Government was keeping in touch with both sides. The British policy was based on the fact that Germany must pay within the limits of her capacity. The British proposals wore not stereotyped. Lord Curzon added r “Wo are prepared to resume discussions on them and to state frankly our proposals.” On the question of security, Lord Gurzon said he was not without hope that a solution might yefc be found. Lord Curzon’s speech was given prominence in the English Press, especially the passage in which he spoke of the British Government’s consistent advice to Germany to make an offer and to declare her willingness and intention to pay, and to have the payment fixed by authorities charged with that duty; also to offer specific guarantees of continued payments. He remarked that France had more than once indicated her willingness to accept such overtures. British help would be forthcoming to both parties. “It is of general interest that such overtures should be made,” added Lord Curzon. “We must come to it sooner or later, and the sooner the better.”

Lord Curzon said he thought he detected symptoms on both sides, if not of drawing together, at least of willingness to consider and even to discuss Vjfc terms of a future settlement. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

PARIS, April 22. ‘‘ Pertinax,” writing in connection with Lord Curzon’s speech in the House oi Lords, says that he does not realise that France has formed resolutions from which she will not withdraw. France’s security could not bo guaranteed by any pact in which Germany has equality with Franco end Britain. —A. and N.Z. Cable. EXTENDING- THE RING. PARIS, April 20. The French have occupied the stations at Badems, Nassau, and Dietz without incident. The Germans, as a reprisal, cut _!he telephone wire to Coblenz.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RUHR UNEMPLOYED. ANGRY DEMONSTRATIONS.

SERIOUS LOSS OP LIFE.

PATHS, April 20, The unemployed are becoming increasingly restive, and are tlgeatening to paralyse life in the towns unless work is provided or doles are increased. is accumulating that the agitation is inspired by Communists, who are encouraging the disorders. The disturbances in Mulheim have been renewed. Three thousand unemployed barricaded themselves in the centre of the town with overturned carts and heaps of bricks, and stopped tbs traffic. The men are all armed with clubs and weapons plundered from gunsmiths’ shops. The gunsmiths succeeded in destroying the ammunition before the rioters opened their attack. The mayor remained in the town hall, guarded by a picked armed force, which fired when the crowd 1 became threatening. The Bed Cross estimate is five killed and fifty injured. The unemployed declare that they intend to remain in possession of the town till their demands are conceded. Essen workmen are also restless, demanding increased pay. A crowd besieged the town hall, and when told that nothing could be done they left, threatening armed) intervention in the town. The forces are preparing measures against the (disturbance. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE DEATH ROLL. PARIS, April 21. The total death roll in the Mulheim tragedy is nine. Seventy were wounded.— A. and N.Z. Cable. THE RED MENACE. communistToutbreaks. LONDON, April 22. Received April 23, at 9.35 a.m. The 1 Daily Chronicle’s ’ Mulheim corJrespondoat reports that a small Communist E, which for two days held up the , was beaten back to-day, and the remnants fled to the woods, where the police are endeavoring to capture them. A Ijadly battered town hall and smashed Vehicles remain witness of exciting goenes. •Sir William Beach Thomas, the ‘ Daily Express’s ’ correspondent, writing from Cologne, says i “ The scenes in Mulheim and Dmsberg suggest a Bed revolution organised at some central headquarters. An unparalleled feature of the situation war, the spectacle of French soldiers looking on unconcernedly while German citizens and small bodies of police fought German workmen, The rabble careered through the streets, erecting barricades till the latter resembled those of Paris during the Revolution. It is difficult to estimate the casualties. Probably they amount to fifty.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN ARROGANCE. WILL NOT ADMIT DEFEAT. LONDON, April 22. Received April 23, at 9.35 a.m. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Dusseldorf correspondent states : “ The truth about Germany is that in the unequal straggle with France she has played a weak hand and lost. The Franco-Belgian pressure has now reduced the resistance to' the thinnest, and a sudden collapse is imminent. German pride is terrible, and is the groat obstacle barring the way to a confession of utter defeat. The position of the leaders in Berlin is deplorable. Whatever happens they are doomed to be stoned by their compatriots. One thing is certain —the sands are running out.’’—A. and N.Z. Cable. M. BARTHOU’S SCHEME. PARIS, April 20. It is reported that Mi. Barthou has drafted a scheme by which France and Belgium propose to approach the reparations question, not merely from the financial aspect, but by co-operating with Ger.jmaay on an ooonomio basis in making an

apportionment of coke and Iron between the three Powers concerned, to enable each to carry on their industries on an equitable basis. This propostion. combined’’with a specie payment of thirty-six milliards of gold marks, would satisfy the Franco-Bel-gian demands. The newspapers, however, speculate how Britain and Italy are likely to view the suggestion. ‘Le Journal’ emphasises the need for making those countries understand that France and Belgium are not seeking to create an industrial combine, but merely a readjustment of production in the Ruhr.—A. and N.Z. Cable.