GERMANY'S NEXT MOVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18584, 17 December 1923, Page 9

GERMANY'S NEXT MOVE.

NEW CRISIS LOOMING.

APPEAL TO WORLD OPINION.

PLAIN QUESTION TO FRANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright (Received 3.4 p.m.) .v; A. and N.Z. LONDON", Dec. 14'. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail says that the situation in the Ruhr is improving rapidly. It is suggested that Germany may make fresh attempts to reopen negotiations direct with France. M. Poincare is inclined to listen, seeing that resistance is ended, but it is ominous that messages from Berlin hint that Germany is contemplating diplomatic tactics calculated to theraten a new crisis by first appealing to the world to solve her financial chaos, and secondly by asking France point blank "How can wo pay reparations while you retain a grip on the Ruhr ,? It is contended that the Marx Government has shown a resolute determination to pay reparations, therefore it is entitled to obtain a clear understanding regarding France's intentions France is compelled to weigh the advantages of reparations against possible loss of security. France is supporting a League of Nations' scheme to obtain a loan for Hungary, which, unlike the Austrian scheme, provides for payment of moderate reparations. France may regard this as a model for assistance to Germany.

EMPTY GERMAN TREASURY.

ONLY REMEDY TAXATION.

Sun. BERLIN, Dec. 14. Herr Luther, Minister for Foreign Affairs and formerly Food Minister, told reporters that the Treasury was empty and the sooner the people got rid of the belief that the country possessed magical reserves the better. Germany had to rely solely on taxation to carry on to the end of the year and possibly the Government would be compelled to impose emergency taxation with inexorable brutality.