FRANCE IN THE RUHR

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11648, 12 October 1923, Page 6

FRANCE IN THE RUHR

NEGOTIATING PRIVATELY VALIDITY OF AGREEMENTS MAY BE QUESTIONED. BELGIUM NOT IN ACCORD. By Telegraph.— A«?n.—ConTncrTit. A-UfitraJian acd N.Z. Cable Asoociatio®. (.Received October 11. 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic corresponded: says: “Our Allies may well ask themselves whether in any deal with Herr Stinnes they are likely to get the bettor of the bargain. M. Poincare may eventually discover, in refusing” to negotiate with the new German Government (although the latter lias withdrawn the ordinances for passive resistance) and preferring to negotiate with private and local interests, he is not altogether happily inspired. The validity of agreements under such conditions, without the assent of one of the Governments con cerned, may conceivably be challenged at a later date. It will bo interesting to learn the view taken by the Reparations Commission. BELGIUM’S ATTITUDE. “It would be difficult to say whether the French attitude has been dictated bv fear that Franco-German negotiations could not be conducted without British participation. On tho other hand, at is a fact that Belgian opinion is not enamoured of separate negotiations with private interests. It would not surprise me to learn, that a Belgian demarche is imminent. It may take the form of a request lat the Reparations Commission deal without delay with the recent proposals of the Belgian technical experts, whioh the British and French Governments have hitherto ignored.”

RESUMPTION OF WORK

GERMAN REQUEST DECLINED. SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association PARIS, October 10. The German Charge d’Affaires has been instructed to inform M. Poincare that the German Government deeiiee to discuss the question of the return to work in the Ruhr, and the resumption of, reparation deliveries in kind A semi-official French statement on the subject intimates that it is improbable that the French and Belgian Governments will agree to negotiate with other than the Ruhr authorities, employers, and workers, but when work is fully resumed it will be permissible that Herr request shall ibe beard by the Reparations Commission regarding the settlement of future reparations. MIXED TRIBUNAL REFUSED. Later. The German Charge d’Affaires called on M. Poincare. It is understood that M. Poincare later refused the request of the German Government to paiticipate in negotiations regarding the resumption of work in the Ruhr by the appointment of a mixed French, Uelgian. and German Commission. i The French claim that definite results in the negotiations with the local authorities of the Ruhr have already beerf obtained by the conclusion of an agreement with the Otto Wolff group, and consider that the participation of delegates from Berlin in the negotiations would only delay a settlement.

NEW GERMAN NOTE

BUSY IN PREPARATION. FOR ALL THE ALLIES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 11, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent in Beilin, learns that the German Government is busy preparing an exhaustive Note on reparations. It will be addressed to all tho Allies, and forwarded through the Reparations Commission.

TRADE AGREEMENT

AMERICA AND GERMANY. RECIPROCAL TERMS. Published in ‘*The Times'* LONDON, October 10. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” has learned that negotiations for a commercial and consular treaty between Germany and the United States, attended by representatives and experts of both countries, have been taking place in Berlin. Dr. Wiedfeldt, German Ambassador in Washington, is returning to America in a few days to lay the draft before the President for the settlement of certain controversial points. The treaty will then be read for signature and ratification.

The treaty provides for a reciprocal most-favoured nation treatment in the import and' export of goods between the two countries, and creates favourable commercial and consular facilities for Germans in America and Americans in Germany.

CORRECTION OF TARIFF

COMMISSION TO REPORT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received October 11, 7.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 10. The State Department announced that it has begun tho negotiation of a treaty of amity and commerce with Germany, being one of a number of commercial conventions which America is negotiating with foreign Powers. The State Department found some difficulty, several countries complaining that the tariff discriminates against them. ' The United. States Tariff Commission is making a report with a view to correcting it, and at the same time is also advancing for diplomatic consideration proposals for the correction of foreign tariffs now discriminating against the United States.