THE REPARATIONS.

Grey River Argus, 24 July 1923, Page 5

THE REPARATIONS.

No Comment! (Aus. and N.Z ‘.nile Assn.) (Sv Eicccric Telegraph—Copyright.) BRUSSELS, July 21. Tho British Note has arrived. Official circles maintain silence, Litt favourable impressions continue. s WASHINGTON, July 21. The State Department announces the receipt of the British Note regarding the Buhr reparations, but all comment is declined. A Grave View LONDON, July 22. Sir W. Joyuson Hicks, speaking at the Crystal I’aiace, described the British Note to Germany as an anxiously prepared document. It was a melon choly thought that nearly four years after the war, Europe should still be in a condition of smouldering war. “\\p determined to make Germanv pay but we could not help realising that until sonic stability is established in Europe, the trade of the world can never be satisfactory. POINCARE’S REPLY. TO LLOYD GEORGE. (Received July 23, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, July 22. Al. Poincare, ar the unveiling of a war monument at Villers-Corterots, replied to Mr Lloyd George ’s recent criticism in the House of Commons of the French programme. Al. Poincare referred to the Germans ’ systematic obstruction of the French efforts to repair the war’s ravages, and said:- -“This is the moment chosen by an eminent statesman, the former Prime Alinister of an Allied country to seek to create a mischievous comparison between France and Germany, and to characterise as amusing the fact that, while France has been spending so much money in repairing the devastated regions, she was complaining of the extravagant expenditure by the Berlin Government. All this might bo very amusing for Air Lloyd George, hut it is saddening, and even intolerable for France.” Al. Poincare said he wished all th? Allies had gone to the Ruhr with France. They would have understood better the real danger of to-morrow. He drew a graphic picture of tremendous industrial organisation which the Germans had built up in the Ruhr. This organisation was substituting itself more and more for the State, which it was enveloping, dominating, and annihilating. It was the master of the press and of the Government. It subjected the German Republic to a domination more powerful than that of the junkers. Against this danger, England, Belgium, Italy iui(kb France must unite. It would not be dihicult co supplv the Allied Governments "with :• basis for instructive comparisons, and grounds for an equitable decision. It would be sufficient for them to visit Aisne department and then pay a visit to the Ruhr. It would not demand the aid of financial experts to enable them to make comparisons. Al. Poincare did not refer to the British Note. RUGBY rrovttHnn.posscssi FOOD RIOTS IN THE SOUTH. BRESLAU, July 21. Six people wore killed and seventeen wounded, and a hundred arrests were made during food riots, when sixty shops were pillaged by strikers, who. angry at the rising prices, attacked the chops when their wives reported that food was still dearer. FOOD RIOTS IN SILESIAN CAPITAL. STREETS CLEARED BA’ RIFLE FIRE BERLIN, .Tnly 22. Messages from Breslau state that for several hours the Silesian capital was in the hands of a mob which 'was looting the cafes and shops. The police were -ordered to delay the use of arm.as long as possible, but finally the streets were cleared by them with carbines and sabres. About 150 people were injured in various degrees. Over 1000 arrests wore made, though most were soon released. The Socialistic Federation of Trade Unions offered its help to the police to restore order, and its assistance was accepted. The cause of the riots was the rise in prices, which has been so rapid re cently that the new scale of payment provides for a 270 per cent, increase on the wages prevailing in June. FRENCH ATTITUDE. LONDON, July 22. The * ‘Sunday Times’s” Paris correspondent says what pleases France is the fact that the British Note is couched in such terms as will allow for important modifications, leaving the door open for further exchanges between the two Governments. Al. Poincare in receiving journalists refused to comment, saying: “If France discloses the contents, England will break negotiations. Likewise if Britain discloses them, France will break negotiations. ” Nevertheless circumstantial details are in circulation in Paris. These are mainly on lines of “The Daily Telegraph” extract cabled yesterday. The newspaper “La Liberte” says: “It would appear the chief purpose of the British Government is to secure AL Poincare’s adherence by concessions on matters of detail.” “T.e Temps” says that a proposed committee of experts to estimate Ger-