THE RUHR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 August 1924, Page 5

THE RUHR

A CRITICAL PROBLEM R EFERRED TO BERLIN EASIER TONE PREVAILS (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) AUHtralmn an a Cable Association.) LONDON, August 15. After day long conferences in London the critical problem of the Ruhr evacuation was transferred at a late hour to Berlin. Herr Marx telephoned at length on a private wire from his apartments at flic Ritz Hotel, the messages going direct, to the. Cabinet sitting at Berlin. At 2.30 Ibis morning the following was received in London: “Berlin Cabinet, Ebert presiding, lasted until after midnight, when in consequence of further telegrams from London it adjourned until midday Friday. Questioning ot party lenders is finished. Subsequent standpoint of ministers and party leaders will Vie notified to delegation in London and an answer to the Allies will follow.’’

Herr Marx previously made it plain in London that the fate of the German Government was in the balance. .If. would ho. necessary to consult- the leaders of all parties before arriving at a decision

It, is understood the German view is Ruhr and Cologne zone should be evacuated by January 10th. This M. Hex-riot-firmly negatived, hut in the course of the day intimated that although tho evacuation time limit was a year that period had beeii fixed without, prejudice to earlier evacuation. Moreover, it is understood (he eoneessioned year will begin when the agreement is signed and immediately tho. Dawes report- is putinto operation the French will evacuate Mannheim and other towns in the sanctions area and withdraw French and Belgian railwayman from the Ruhr, only reserving the right to reinforce railwaytroops in case of emergency. Mr MacDonald and Mr- Kellog supported the revised plan, the acceptance of which it is believed ITerr Marx recommended to Berlin under the circumstances.

An easier tone prevailed late lastnight. British official circles stated that the worst that could happen would be delay. Certainly tho conference would not "break down. The Morning Post, however, declares that the conference could not last much longer for the chief delegates were approaching a state of physical exhaustion. Mr MacDonald was talking to foreign delegates until three o’clock on Thursday morning. He rose again to begin his day’s work at 6.30, while there was much plain speaking yesterday on the part of M. Herriot and vStressman. Reports of scenes are inaccurate and it is also untrue that Mr MacDonald and Mr Kellog sent an ultimatum to the Germans demanding immediate acceptance of M. Ilerriot’s terms. On the contrary there was the keenest anxiety to reach an agreement. Delegates remained out. of bed until they received news that the Berlin Cabinet" had adjourned. BERLIN, August 15. Cabinet adjourned at midnight without decision. NEW YORK, August 14. Secretary Hughes is returning from Europe with the expressed belief that the IJawes report will be accepted by all the Powers and will be effective very soon. He did not believe acceptance of the plan hinged upon the date of the Ruhr evacuation.

LONDON, Aug. 15 Herr Marx advised Cabinet fo accept the French offer.

It is understood the German reply accepts evacuation after a year, but invites modification in detail.