FRANCE MOVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18757, 10 January 1923, Page 5

FRANCE MOVES

TROOPS FOR ESSEN PASS THROUGH COLOGNE. INTENSE ANXIETY IN GERMANY. RUHR WORKERS THREATEN STRIKE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 8. (Received Jan. 9, at 9.45 p.m. ) France stands on the eve of action. Marshal Foch's army of 40,000-50,000 troops is awaiting the signal to sweep forward to the Ruhr. There is intense anxiety in the Rhineland over the imminence of the advance. Tlie Times Cologne correspondent reports; The first train conveying tho French troops destined to occupy Essen passed Cologne this morning. The move completely surprised British headquarters, whom the French suddenly requested to provide military guards at tho stations and bridge* in the British area during the passage of the troops. This was done. The German population was surprised and alarmed. The French authorities in Cologne anticipate that the French troops will be concentrated at Dusseldorf and that the actual move to Essen will be made on January 9, or later. Meanwhile France is mobilising parties of skilled workers, civil and naval engineers, railwaymen, and industrial specialists, in order to control the industries in the Ruhr. Some have actually gone forward. It is noteworthy that Belgian and Italian engineers and officials are co-operating. Various regiments have been warned to be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Germany awaits the move in a mood of impotent protest. Civic officials in Essen deprecate the idea of organised resistance. Reports have reached Berlin that, while the population will undoubtedly adopt a passive resistance, the workmen are prepared to go further. The leader of one of the biggest Trade Unions in the Ruhr told The Times Cologne correspondent: ‘T pledge you my word that the first movement of French troops shall be the signal for a general strike in the Ruhr. This military folly means ruin and starvation to the workers.” The correspondent suggested that the miners should adopt a ca’ canny policy, but the leader replied: We can do nearly everything with tho bayonet except pick coal. Picks are a better nroducer of reparations than tho bayonet. An important conference of all the Trade Unions in the Ruhr district is to be held on January 9, at which the attitude o! the workers in the case of an advance will finally be decided. Meantime the burgomaster of Essen is in a dilemma over the impending invasion. There are no barracks or buildings to accommodate the troops. The housing shortage is acute at the present. Fourteen thousand civilians are compulsorily billetted upon the majority of the families in Essen. If the troops come in, the bitterness of the population will be most acute.—The Times. TROOPS FOR ESSEN. ARMOURED CARS AND CAVALRY. LONDON, January 9. ("Received January 10, at 0.5 a-.m.) The Times’s Cologne correspondent reports that 11 troop trains are passing through en route to the Ruhr. Much of the accommodation in the hotels has been reouisitioned for the French staff. A large party <pf civil engineers, who are taking over the control of the Ruhr mines, have arrived. Forty FVench armoured cars are expected tr> participate in the advance, and many cavalry are accompanying them. Although it is quite certain that no resistance will be offered, it is interesting to note that the only German armed forces in the Ruhr consist of the Green police, numbering- 8000, of whom 2000 are stationed at Essen.—The Times. AMERICAN DISAPPROVAL. WASHINGTON, January 8. (Reoeived January 9, at 9.5 p.m.) The United States Government has officially announced that it regards with distinct disfavour the proposed French plan to occupy the German industrial region. It is understood that this view has been communicated by Ambassador Horrick, but there is no idea at present of making a forma] protest.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SENATOR’S CONDEMNATION. NEW YORK, January 9. (Received January 9, at 11.50 p.m.) Senator Harrison, in a speech, said: F'rance may exact compliance with every item of the Treaty of Versailles and move troops in the Ruhr, but in doing so that great and patriotic people may suffer the cruel fate of Shylock, and lose even more than a pound of flesh in the method of collection.—A. and N.Z. Cable. i COAL DELIVERIES. LONDON, January 9. (Received January 9, at 10,30 p.m.) The Reparations Commission heard the German experts regarding the default in coal deliveries. It is understood that Sir .In. Bradbury is of the opinion that tho default is not wilful. It is considered I’kely that M. Poincare will not proceed with the seizure of productive guarantees till the commission ,has answered the German demand for a fresh moratorium.—A. and N.Z. Cable. EARLIER MESSAGES.

LIMITED MILITARY MEASURES. NO MOBILISATION INTENDED. PARIS. January 8. The greatest secrecy is being hiaintained regarding France’s future action, but it is believed that the sanctions will be applied without delay, either before or immediately after January 15, when 500,000.000 gold marks ore due. As no moratorium was granted, Germany is bound to the schedule nayments, wh : ch obvimisly she cannot fulfil. Probably France will eventually consent to a conditional moratorium, to be fixed by the Reparations Commission. A further grave German default is almost certain to be noticed shortly in resocct to coal deliveries, which will furnish France with a new weapon. It is understood that the Belgians will actively participate, .and that the Italian*? will morally support the application of the sanctions. The military measures, are orescribed as precautionary, and aimed to protect Dm civilian officials who will act in the Rhineland and Ruhr military centres, and most likclv The occupation of Bochum will follow, if necessarv. The general feeling in Prance supports M. Poincare’s action.—The Times. Following on a meeting of protest. M. ■p.iincnve announced that it was not intended to mohili«n e single soldier or railwayman.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE ADVANCE PARTY. PARTS. January 8. A parly of mining and naval engineers bas gone to Dus-eldnrf in r"adine.«« for the occupation of the Ruhr. Tt-ev w ill re-r.-ive new instructions from the CalnnH P-fnr e advancing to Essen.—A, and N.Z. Cabla.

THE GOLD SHIPMENTS. PARIS, January 8. Deputy Klotz, who was Minister of Finance in 1919, denies the British statement that FVance agreed that her gold, which was sent to London in 1916, should not be returned until France had paid her debts to Britain. He declares that under the original agreement the return of the gold was not dependent noon the repayment of France's’ debt which had not then reached its present large total.— A. and N.Z. Cable. < [A Paris message of the 4th inst., stated : An official French Note was issued declaring that under a contract signed at Calais on June 25. 1916. France received from Britain credits to the extent of £150,000,000, as security for which France sent, £50,000.000 worth of gold to London on the tinderstanding that the gold would he returned to France in three v-ars after the conclusion of the war. upon French repayments. England in 1917, and again in ISI9, sought release from her obligation to return the nrold, hut Franco refused; conseirinentlv England is still under an obligation to return the gold.l GERMAN APPREHENSIONS. HER INDUSTRIES AT STAKEMINERS’ UNTIMELY DEMANDS. BERLIN, January 8. Ministers held many conference during the week-end relating to the new situation. It is generally recognised here that the occupation of the Ruhr will result in the whole fabric of German industry being at France's mercy. The Government is faced with trouble from the miners, who, with the railwaymen’s support, are demanding increased wages and a reversion to the eight-hour day. The Labour Minister’s intervention has so far been fruitless. Dr IVirtli (ex-Chancellor), in addressing a crowded mass meeting at Cologne, said that Gerfnany’s noliev must aim at the salvation of the Rhineland. Even now Germany was prepared to offer her hand to M. Poincare. After her tremendous sacrifices to carry out her policy of fulfilment, Gemanv must not throw up the sponge. The meeting carried a resolution declaring the Rhineland’s fealty to the Fatherland tfmd protesting against the French terror. —A. and N.Z. Cable. FEEDING THE FIRES. SMOULDERING HATRED OF FRANCE. LONDON. January 9. (Received January a, at 9.5 p.m.) The Morning Post’s Berlin correspondent states that the arrival of the French troops at Dnsseldorf was apparently regarded with calmness throughout the country'. This attitude must not he mistaken for indifference. There is a smouldering and consuming, if momentarily impotent, hate against the French usurpers. It seems certain that France must draw a Customs barrier around the occupied territory, which will hinder the smooth internal working of its industries. 'The Deutsche Allgeniiue is clamourin" for publicity for the German reparations plan. It points out that the plan would obviate the need for a moratorium. Germany would find satisfactory guarantees, and ’strengthen its industry. Herr Sthmes and other industrialists are now prepared to meet the obligations which hitherto they have repudiated.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE STRIKE WEAPON. PLANS ALREADY MADE. LONDON, January 9. • (Received January 9, at 9.5 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle’s Berlin correspondent says; The Trade Unions are zealously discussing the question of hampering the French plans by a general strike, as in the Kapp coup. Practical plans for the -.purpose were dratted some time ago. A meeting of miners in the Ruhr yesterday passed a resolution of protest against the FVench action. “French threats have done more in a few days to mobilise and unify Labour organisations than all internal political appeals.” The Daily Express’s Paris correspondent states: A high General Staff officer told me that the Ruhr may never be completely occupied.—A. and N.Z. Cable. COMMUNISTS ACTIVE. LONDON, January 9. (Received January 9, at 10.30 p.m.) Mr Martin Donoghue, Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent, says: The French Communists sent representatives to the Ruhr. They left before the Engineers. It is said that they will organise the miners’ strike, or in other ways seek to thwart the French plan. M. Poincare still clings to a policy of extreme caution. Ho opposes precjpitate action, and is seeking an to adventuring into the Ruhr.—-A. and N.Z. Cable. CABINET CRISIS THREATENED. BERLIN, January 9. (Received January 9, at 10.30 p.m.) A Cabinet crisis is threatened owing to the Social Democrats demanding that Herr Bergmann’s proposals, which the Paris Conference refused to hear, shall be published and adopted along the lines of tho British plan. The .Social Democrats also demand that Herr Cuno (the Chancellor) shall introduce forcible measures to make German industry and agriculture provide the guarantees required for reparations and loans, and that an appeal shall be made to the Entente nations and to the League of Nations. —A. and N.Z. Cable. A GREAT STAKE. WEALTH OF THE RUHR. The Ruhr Valley, which tho French are preparing to occupy in consequence of Germany’s reparation default, lies to the east of the Rhino and to the north and northeast of Cologne. Here is concentrated the industrial wealth of Westphalia. The principal towns are Essen and Bochum, but practically the region is one huge town. Mho French, by their occupation of tho Dusseldorf bridgehead, which was effected in May, 1921, in consequence of the illwill shown by Germany in meeting her engagements, already control the head of tile valley, including the towns of Dusseldort, Duisburg, and Kuhrart. Tho following extracts from a report presented recently to the French Government by M. Dariac, who was sent by M. Poincare as a commissioner to report on tho economics and industry of the Rhino province, give some idea of the importance of this 10 Of 'the 191 millions of tons of coal which Germany produced in 1913. 115 millions came from the Ruhr. Perfumes, medicaments, dyestuffs, tars, and tar derivatives, ammonium sulphate, the foster-father of Germany’s agriculture, metallurgical coke Indispensable for her blast-furnaces and for tho French blast-furnaces—all ttiis is ob.iimed only from coal. But after tho loss of tho Slaar (18 million tons) and of the Polish section of Upper Silesia (28 million tons) practically all the production of Gorman coal is concentrated in the Ruhr basin (115 million tons out of a theoretical total of 145 million tons, of which 20 millions have to bo reserved for deliveries' to the Allies). FRENCH PRODUCTION” DWARFED. ~ Similarly, from the metallurgical point rf view, before the war the German production of cast iron amounted to about 19 million tons, of which nine millions were produced by the Ruhr blast-furnaces; the loss of Lorraine and Upper Silesia have reduced tho possible production to 11 million tons. The steel production exceeded 19 million tons, of which 10 millions was produced in the Ruhr. The figures for the whole of the French production before the war arc obviously unable to compare with the production cf the Ruhr, tho extent of which, however, does not equal that of n small French Department. Wo recall them below:Coni. 40 million tons (reduced to-day to 25 millions). Coke, 3.500,000 tons. Tar. 30-9,000 to 400.000 tons. Sulphate of ammonia. 69,000 lons. fSst iron, 5 to 6 million tons. Steel, 4 to 5 million tons.

It may suffice to set against these figures those of the production of a single one of the consortiums of the Ruhr, the Stinnes group;— Coal, 18,200,000 tons. Coke, 4,565,000 tons. Tar, 129,000 tons. Sulphate of ammonia, 59,000 tons. Steel, 2,600,000 tons. Cast iron, 2,119,200 tons. STRANGLEHOLD OX (I ERMA XV. Some indication of the objective which Franco hopes to attain by the occupation ci tho Ruhr Valley was given in M< Dariac’s report. “The Rhine,” he wrote, “ separates two great metallurgical regions; on one side the Ruhr, with its nine million tons of cast iron (1913 yield), absorbing annually 18 to 25 million tons of ore; on the other side, the Lorraine region (including the Saar), the productive capacity of which is also nine million tons of cast iron. . . . The French metal industry cannot live without German coke; tho German metal industry cun only reach half its full development if it is deprived of French ore. Cannot Franca envisage the exchange of German metallurgical coke and French ore as ,i friendly exploitation offering tho basis of n true industrial association? “We cannot demand that Germany shall pay enormous sums for 55 years, and, on the other hand, we are afraid of seeing her industries develop in the proportion which would permit her to assure tho payment of tho debts which she has acknowledged. But so long as we are on the right, bank of the Rhine and are masters of 45 million tons a year of ore we shall be in a position to play a decisive part in the German metal industry, demanding a control of production in return. And no doubt this will bo the solution of the future, bo long as the Committee of Guarantees limits itself to controlling the German finances it will do no more than periodically report a scries of monetary disasters which it will ha impotent to alter. The day when it has tho power to control Germany's industrial production we shall he in a position to profit by her economic prosperity.”