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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 August 1924, Page 5

RUHR THE DIFFICULTY

DIFFERENCES. OVER DATE OF EVACUATION

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian ami w.zi. Oabl* Association

LONDON, August 14. There is no doubt that the negotiaitons between the Germans and M. Herriot and M. Thenius regarding the date of the evacuation of the Ruhr have broken down temporarily owing to M■ Hen'ioA demanding commercial privileges in return for Ruhr evacuation, and refusing a date for the beginning of the withdrawal of French troops, although suggesting that the withdrawal would be comjTieted within twelve months. Herr Marx last night went to Mr (MacDonald to explain the position, and also cabled lengthily to Berlin. M. Herriot meets Herr Marx this morning and the council of fourteen meets lor half an hour later.

All this is of course apart from the conference dealing with the Dawes report, though influencing its successful termination.

Meanwhile a despatch from Paris reveals activity in opposition to M. Herriot-. It is even affirmed that his reception at the weekend was an organised affair. Reviews of the work of the conference are undoubtedly painful reading to Frenchmen who supported M. Poincare's Ruhr policy. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent’ says M. Herriot, under the criticisms of M. Loucheur and a section of the Paris press, showed himself reluctant to evacuate the Ruhr under twelve months, although he delivered a moving speech in which he emphasised the pacific spirit of democratic France. The German Ministers were not insensible of 31. Herriot’s sincerity, but feared that during the twelve months he might be succeeded by a premier less conciliatory. Asked when the final years of occupation would begin M. Herriot said lie must postpone an answer until to-day. Presumably the year would date from the signing of the London agreement, but this was not made clear to the Germans. The latter argued that a further year’s occupation would endanger both the Dawes plan and private credits to Germany. They came to the conclusion that they must consult Berlin, but expressed the conviction that German opinion would not agree to another year’s occupation. The chief trouble lias undoubtedly arisen from M. Herriot’s sensitiveness to domestic Criticism and the omission to produce a really practical scheme of evacuation. The difficulties can hardly be overcome without the intervention of Mr Mae Donald, or preferably Americans. There is no doubt M. Herriot had previously suggested that military evacuation -would follow shortly upon economic evacuation.

LONDON, August 13. The Ruhr negotiations reached a deadlock. The Germans approached Mr MacDonald to act as mediator.

CONSTERNATION AMONGST GERMANS LONDON, August 14. The decision by British and American representatives to support the French has caused consternation among the Germans, who feel that the adoption of tlie proposal will precipitate the fall of the German Government. The issue is regarded as so momentous that some delegates may go to Berlin to consult Cabinet before replying. The Germans were given two hours to reply to the French evacuation proposals, which British and American delegates approved.