“SHEPHERDLESS SHEEP”

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11658, 24 October 1923, Page 6

“SHEPHERDLESS SHEEP”

RUHR POPULATION COWED. SITUATION SERIOUS. Published In "The Time#' LONDON, Ootober 22. The Cologne correspondent of ‘ The Times” writes: “If the French intended to support the ex-pugilist Matthes, tlie Rhineland Separatist leader, they could not have selected a better moment. The Rhinelanders are like shepherdless sheep, after the imprisonment or expulsion of their true leaders; and unemployment, hunger, and anxiety have reduced them to such a frame of mind that they will not resist whatever action the French, with the support of the French troops, are disposed to approve. Vet today’s events are almost oertain to result in bloodshed, “The situation is most serious. Many of the iron and steel works have dismissed their employees. The French have seized more of the mines and a number of railway workshops. “The local German authorities attach no great importance to the leadership of Matthes, not believing that this expugilist has been selected as the future ruler of the Rhineland. It is more probable that Matthes, with the cooperation of French hotheads, is trying to steal a march on his rivals, like Dorten, and thus force the hands of the French authorities.” TIRFn OF OPPRESSION FRENCH VIEW OF RISING. Australian and N.Z. Oablß Association PARIS, October 22. The “Temps,” commenting on the Rhineland movement, says it is the spontaneous reaction of the population, which refuses to be any longer oppressed and exploited as a tveapon against its Western neighbours. Berlin and Munich, the paper says, did not care whether the inhabitants of the Rhineland were trampled under foot in the struggle. The essential thing was to use these territories as a base against France in the central policy of revenge. SUPPORT FOR REPUBLIC CONSER VATIVES WON OVER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, October 22. A message from Moscow states that before the coup d’etat at Aix. the bourgeois party was won over to the movement. The clergy also expressed sympathy, and the .working classes as a whole are rallying to the new order. Separatists entered Mayenoe, but were fired on, and withdrew to the suburbs.