Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1923 THE RUHR—AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 3 April 1923, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1923 THE RUHR—AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK

DURING the last week the situation in : the Ruhr has been cryslalised by two or three 4^it standing facts. The German Ambassador in London definitely asked Mr Ilonar Law to open negotiations between Prance and Germany with ! ;i view to a settlement. The British Premier as definitely, refused, and advised. Germany to address horse!l directly to France, or to .Belgium, or to the Reparations Commission. Rut M. Poincare had already made a statement, which not only indicated that France would brook no interference by any third Power, but that the Ruhr would not be evacuated until full payment was made by Germany; and the. German Government had declared that, it would not open negotiations in reference to payment of reparations until France had evacuated the Ruhr. That was the situation before the holidays. . Apparently a deadlock had been created, and the debate m The House of Commons on the 28th ult. seemed to emphasise the fact. But two days later, Germany announced that she would not insist on France’s evacuation as essential to the opening of negotiations, and simultaneously M. Poincare, interview, slated that France was

willing In negol ial o with the Gi-iimm Go\-i"'imi( , nt. hut not with the German capitalist's, who. he declared, wer<* re-, sponsible for Germany’s repealed evasions of tin* \ ersailles .1 reals- Ih* has also stated that France will consider any offer of payment- which Germany mav make ilirough the Allies lor a settlement of the Ruhr problem, provided it is precise, serious, and direct. Jltercforo it would seem that the way is open, for Germany to make some definite proposal either through one of the Allies, such as Britain, or Italy, or America, or direct to Fiance hers^Jf.

In spite of the increasingly serious - conditions in the Ruhr itself, the general situation between 1* ranee and Geiuiaiiv may he said to have improved. What influences have brought, about this improvement it is hard to sa\. Probably the improvement in Germany's attitude is attributable, to British influ. once. In the face of the ridiculous Anglophobia exhibited by the Parisian press it is hardly likely that British influence lias had much effect in bringing about the improved attitude of the French Government, though it is possible that the direct- statement made recently by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, to the effect that France had banged, bolted and barred the door against ordinary methods of approach which in ordinary times might lend to n settlement., may have opened the eyes ot M. 1 oineare himself to the necessity of assuin iiu'- a more reasonable and conciliatory attitude. But the probability is that the United States’ Government, working through its Foreign Secretary who, d ;i s known, has made certain proposals lO Germany, mav also have made, such rep- ( : rcsentations to M. Poincare as have cans-; Ld him to modify his uncompromising; 'attitude. Whatever the causes, the out- j 'look is more hopeful, and the improve-! ! ment has been reflected in the London | Stock Exchange, which is one of the; ! truest barometers of the state of inlet-. i national politics affecting Britain. ; As M- Poincare truly informed the j French Chamber, Germany's internal and! foreign debts arc very small. This means j that- it may he possible for her. with tnc assistance of snob a country as the Uml,ed States, to raise a vast loan with which to pay her debts to the Allies. There is much dispute as to what- Germany has paid, and as lo what she still owes, and even as to what she is able to pay. hut so soon as those debatable points, have been cleared up. it should j not, lie impossible to assess the extent to which credits can he safely extended to her, and. upon her receiving these. I’m- her to begin the payment of reparations by satisfying France's just demands ; the French undertaking lo evacuate the Ruhr, upon payment being received. But the. issue depends on the iroot 1 will of the parties chiefly affected; o„ the sincerity of Ilerr Ci.no to find a solution on the one hand, and on the willingness of M. Poincare to evacuate the Ruhr when France’s just demands arc satisfied on the oilier. There can he no prosperity in Germany, or in France, until this difficulty is settled. The welfare of all Europe is, involved. In the welfare of Europe the United Slates are' closely interested, almost as closely as Britain herself fortunately the British and American peoples take much the same view oh the situation created by France in the Ruhr, and then* Governments are certainly using tluii immense influence to the desired ciid.