PARIS AND BERLIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18585, 18 December 1923, Page 9

PARIS AND BERLIN.

V-:.' ' ■' ■ • CONVERSATIONS obened POIHCARE HEARS GERMANS. ft • FUTURE OF THE RUHR. IFRANCE TO KEEP CONTROL. 111 1 * 'ATMOSPHERE OP DISTRUST. By Telegraph—Press Association CopyrirM 'Received 5.5 p.m.) ' A. *nd N.Z. LONDON. Dec. 16. ,The German Charges d'Affaires in Paris and Brussels, Herr von Hoesch and Herr Roediger, waited respectively on M. Poin- . care and M. Jaspar, and made similar remarks with reference to reparations and ' the situation in the Ruhr and the Rhineland. j • Herr von Hoesch proposed the constitution of a commission with a view to restoring administrative machinery in those districts. M. Poincare said it was impossible to discuss the powers conferred on the Reparation Commission by treaty, and it •was impossible for France to deprive her agents in the occupied territory of their proper authority. There could be no question of modifying the conditions under which the Inter-Allied Rhineland Commission administered the territory. In order to avoid all possibility of misunderstanding, M. Poincare requested Herr von Hoesch to prepare a written statement explaining the views of his Government. Herr von Hoesch undertook to furnish a statement as soon as possible. M. Jaspar took cognisance of Herr Roe'diger's declaration, and stated he would communicate with the French Government with a view to a reply. Directly Herr von Hoesch delivered the German proposals in writing, M. poincare began, drafting a reply. He said that France would not consent to withdrawal of the French and Belgian authorities in the Ruhr or Allied Commission in the other occupied territory, but he was willing to accept any conversations relative to prorogation of the agreement with the German magnates. M. Poincare concluded by ; calling attention to the fact that the Inter-Allied Commission of Military Control hud not resumed its regular working in Germany. Until this *as done Germany was not locally executing the Versailles Treaty. While advanced Republican organs desire M. Poincare to procecd with negotiations the Nationalist newspapers regard Germany's move with mack, isjiapicioii, wid urge M. Poincara not to give up any of the pledges held. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says: M- Poincare long " period of. passive resistance has ended. For nearly a year he stubbornly turned • a deaf ear to representations both from Britain and Germany. Now he is going to heir Germany's case. The French Foreign Office declares that this volte face is* die to passive resistance in the Ruhr ending. t)thera contend it is due to fear , as to what will happen to the Entente in the event of a "Labour Government coming- into power in Britain. In Berlin the general belief is that England is paralysed in foreign affairs, and M. ; Poincare is using the fact against Germany, which is the reason why M. Poincare has chosen the, present time to declare that negotiations; are possible.

ARMIES OF OCCUPATION. GERMANY TO FBBCE ISSUE. (PAYMENT TO BE STOPPED. t Australian 1 and N.Z. Cable Association.. CUcd. 4.5 p.m.) ! , LONDON. Dec. 16. 1 . The Cologne correspondent of the Times says that different indications point to January 1 as the date on which the ques- ' Hon of Bhineland will coma to a head. The Genaan Government has already ftnnciunced its intention to stop payments ■which !it is at present making for the maintenance of armies of occupation. , ; It ■trill then remain" to be seen whether France 'will Axert pressure to extort fur- ' ther payments or agree to reduce garrisons tad meet the coot herself. ;

POLITICAL PRISONERS. EARLY RELEASE INTIMATED. Australian " and; 1 N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 4.5 p.m.) ' LONDON. Dec. 16. According to advices from Essen, the Trench' and, Belgian military commanders informed the German Red • Cross that a large number of political prisoners would shortly be released, as passive resistance may now be regarded as ended. - AFFAIRS IN SAXONY. GOVERNMENT RESIGNS. A and N.Z. BERLIN. Dec. 16 ' The Socialist Government of Saxony has resigned. ' The Democratic Party withdrew its support owing to the Socialists' refusal to join in a rote of . no-confidence in Herr Liebmann, Minister of the - Interior.