CRISIS NOW GRAVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18333, 24 February 1923, Page 9

CRISIS NOW GRAVER.

. ;v-. ; POSITION IN THE RUHR. 'iPk'iV- ■ »•' * *1 I GERMANS' FOREBODINGS. EXPECTATION. OF WAR. STIFFENING OF RESISTANCE DEFIANT RAILWAYMAN. By Telesraob--Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.55 p.m.) A and N.Z. LONDON. Feb. 23. Sir W. Beach Thomas, the representative of the Daily Express at Cologne, continues to send sensational despatches forecasting the gravest developments in the Ruhr. He accuses the French of suppressing news and declares that American and British business men cannot handle roods without heavy payments to the French. Even then transport is not j available. The Ruhr' is now a dead recion The French apparently have abandoned a real attempt to export adequate coal supply. Passive resistance stiffens daily inside and outside the Ruhr. A" mass meeting of railwaymen unanimously resolved not. to obey foreign orders, demanding that all railwaymen face banishment or prison, declaring ihai a foreign Power will find an iron German define?. • It is no use, the correspondent concluded, concealing that the Germans exp.ct a declaration of war and a new treaty under which the Ruhr area will be sciz-jd for reparations.

define?.

OCCUPATION CONDEMNED.

LARGE MEETING AT NEW YORK

CONFERENCE SUGGESTED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

fßecd. 7.45 V.m.) NEW YORK. Feb. 23. A mass meeting, at which 14,000 persons were present, was held in Madison Square Garden in opposition to the French occupation of the Ruhr. Prominent speakers voiced anti-French sentiments. Mr. W. E. Borah telegraphed advocating calling a conference to adjust the Ruhr situation, which had threatened the peace of Ihe world. Telegrams from prominent citizens all over the country expressed opposition to the occupation. One prominent lawyer who was invited

refused to attend, and issued a .statement defending France and bitterly attacking Germany. This meeting is the .first of its kind since tho French marched across the Rhine.

TAKING OVER RAILWAYS.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM ACT.

Australian and K.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) PARIS, Feb. 22.

A Franco-Belgian civilian commission is immediately taking over all railways in their occupied zones.