THE RUHR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 7 September 1923, Page 7

THE RUHR.

GERMANY AND FRANCE

NEGOTIATIONS FOR AGREE-

MENT.

BRITAIN NOT PERTURBED

BY CABLE—PEESB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received Sept. 7, 10.30 a.m.

LONDON, Sept. 5

The Times Berlin correspondent says it appears certain Germany is preparing for a separate settlement with France. The newspaper Zeit carefully explains Herr Stresemann's suggestion for Franco-German industrial co-operation in the Ruhr, and says it does not imply an* alteration in German, foreign policy.. There is certainly no question of creating an economic bloo dangerous to Britain. This appears to be realised in Britain, whence all reports indicate-that Germany's attempt t~o reach a direct understanding with France is welcomed.

Herr Stinnes arid Herr Krupp contradict the reports that they are taking action privately, but the French reception of Herr Stresemann's speech encourages the Government to develop the plan. The'difficulty hitherto conoernied the control of the undertaking. Business circles are convinced that British industrialists will calmly view a combination of the Ruhr and Lorraine industries.

An Essen correspondent reports that the labour situation in the Ruhr mines has improved and-that the men will be paid daily or on alternate days, because it is recognised that they are at starvation point, although receiving fifty-four million marks weekly. Disturbances, occurred at Hagenbeck mine, but the police fired in the air and dispersed the crowd. It was then announced that married men would receive an interim payment of sixty million marks and single men thirty million. There is great discontent among the Ruhr miners, who believe that Berlin is neglectful, and many foreigners among the miners are prepared to work for the French, but apart from the disorderly international element, j hunger is driving the miners to abandon passive resistance. The Communists are preaching that the owners are trying, to enforce terms giving themselves favourable conditions for negotiating with the French. Trade unionists declare that the fight will continue whether or not a Franco-German agree- ' ment is reached.—Times. I