EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6766, 21 November 1928, Page 7

EVACUATION OF THE RHINELAND

Stresemann’s Demand GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. BERLIN, Nov 19. Speaking in. the Reichstag for the first time since his breakdown in health in June, Dr. Stresemann, Foreign Minister, discussed the problems of tho evacuation of the Rhineland and reparations. Ho said that not only the Germans, but many foreign observers, considered that the retention of foreign troops in the Rhineland was a contradiction of the recent trend in international affdir 3 - All tho foreign Governments concerned had now agreed to open negotiations .concerning tho evacuation. Germany would unswervingly maintain that she was entitled to complete and immediate evacuation; also that tho evacuation must not depend on tho solution of any other problem, Germany’s rights being violated so long as her claim %vas unfulfilled.

“We cannot,” ho said, “assume the political burden, tho effect of which will continue beyond the term of pledged reparations. Wo will not enter into any financial engagements at tho price of military evacuation. Regarding disarmament, Germany’s Geneva policy must continue, because it safeguarded Germany’s western frontier. It was the only possible policy in. view of Germany’s military hopelessness. Tho nows of the AngloFrench compromise had caused anxiety because it foreshadowed a possible new grouping of tho Powers to Germany’s detriment. , “We shall,” ho declared, “stand by tho policy laid down by Herr Mueller and Count Bernstorff at Geneva.” What Can Germany Pay? SOME SIGNIFICANT FIGURES. Received Wednesday, 12.5 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 20. “The final reparations settlement must be one not exceeding Germany’s capacity to pay from her own resources and not endangering the standard of living of her people,” declared Dr. Stresemann in the 1 Reichstag.

The “Morning Post's’' Berlin correspondent, discussing the factors the experts must consider, says Germany has been'able to increase her Budget expenditure very substantially in 1928. Industrial production in 192 S was roughly 25 per cent, above the average for ° 1924-26. The standard of living, wages of skilled and unskilled workers, and savings banks deposits have risen materially. The other side of the picture shows that Germany's not borrowing from abroad from January Ist, 1925 to May 31st, 1928, amounted to £242,500,000, almost exactly equivalent to the amount paid out in reparations and annuities. It will be asked: “To what extent will eGrmany bo dependent on foreign capital in the future and to what extent are the foreign investors prepared to maintain the supply. The last four years have been years of artificially stimulated reconstruction following ton years of stagnation. Is it humanly possible to determine upon brief experience what Germany is able to bear twenty years hence?”