DISTRESS IN RUHR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18530, 15 October 1923, Page 7

DISTRESS IN RUHR.

GJttAFB DISORDERS. LOOTING IN COLOGNE. MOBS THRONG STREETS. BLOODSHED AT SOLINGEN. POLICE EIRE ON RIOTERS. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. (Received 4.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Oct. 13. Advices from Berlin state that the economic situation in the Ruhr is serious and cessation of work in numerous industries is expected. The French report that 10,000 unemployed at Solingen looted slops. The police fired on them and two rioters were killed and 17 wounded. Five thousand unemployed besieged the Town Hall at Dusseldorf. Tho French commander, in response to repeated requests from the Burgomaster, sent troops to occupy the Town Hall and protect the municipality. A crowd welcomed tho French troops enthusiastically, crying, "Get us food.". The .French authorities proclaimed a ftate of siege at Xreuznadhj owing to the looting of shops. Keuter's correspondent at Cologne states that frequent outbreaks of looting occurred • there yesterday. Many shops have closed and others, are barricaded. The principal cafes are empty in consequence of impossible prices. - Lorries going to market were held up and looted. The outbreaks are duo to extraordinary fluctuations in quotations of the mark. Frantic specula-' tion has resulted in famine prices being placed on commodities; The Cologne correspondent of the Times states that mobs still throng the streets, after breaking shop. windows and attempting to plunder in many parts of the city. They are mainly of the same unemploy- - able classes and toughs who were most prominent in the sanguinary Separatist affray at Dusseldorf last month. Possibly they include armed Separatists, which increases the danger of the situation. Unemployed viho are engaged in emergency work are co-operating with the rioters. British troops arc confined to barracks, but are prepared for emergencies. Places of entertainment, restaurants and cafes have closed, -