THE OCCUPATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18760, 13 January 1923, Page 9

THE OCCUPATION

FRENCH IN THE RUHR. MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED,' FLOTILLA ON THE RHINE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 11. Martial law has been proclaimed by tho French in the occupied area of the Ruhr. — A. and N.Z. Gable. PARIS, January 11. A message from Berlin states that telephonic communication with Eesen is suspended. It is supposed that tho first French contingents have already occupied the Essen Post Office and railway station. The advance commenced at midnight and tho arrival of the French troops on

the Ruhr frontier was reported an hour later. It is reported that the German population is calm and is awaiting the French occupation without apprehension. The French Rhine flotilla is participating in tho Ruhr movement, and is policing the Rhine tributaries and canals.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TWO DIVISIONS USED. FULL WAR EQUIPMENT. LONDON, January 11. The effectives entering the Ruhr are officially stated to consist of two divisions of French infantry and one brigade of cavalry' accompanied by a Belgian detachment. Advices from Dusseldorf state that there was no opposition and no demonstration when the force, which set out on a wide front, started. Fissen advices state that the force was fully enuipped. It includes a largo number of tanks, field guns, armoured cars, lor-

ries, cyclists, and even gas masks. A FreuctTproclamatiraa issued at Dusseldorf states that the local administration will continue to function. There will be no curfew, but the carrying of arms is forbidden. Dussoldorf and Duisburg were plastered during the night with Communist placards in French and German inciting the soldiers to revolt against Herr Stinncs and other capitalists. —Reuter. ESSEN, A CLOSED CITY. FRENCH JOURNALISTS MAULED. PARIS, January 11. Essen reports state that the Ruhr population is strong* in the determination to thwart the French occupation as far as possible. Onlv the lower employees, who have not the slightest notion of the management of the mines, remain in Essen. They have been ordered not t 6 help the French engineers. When tho troops entered Essen the streets were empty and tho shops and restaurants closed.

The executive of the Rhine Westphalian Labour decided to nroclaim a short strike in the Ruhr district on Monday.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BERLIN, January 11. Extracts from Mr Lloyd George’s last article are plastered on the walls of Essen and other Ruhr towns. There is great excitement in Essen. French journalists were attacked and severely mauled yesterday.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CITY OCCUPATION COMPLETE. BERLIN, January 11. (Received Jan. 12, at 8.5 n.m.) The French completed their occupation of Essen in the afternoon.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE. NO ACTION INTENDED.

LONDON, January 11. The British Cabinet discussed the position arising from the occupation of the Ruhr. It is authoritatively learned that no spectacular action like the withdrawal of the British troops from the Rhine is contemplated. Britain will continue to be represented on the Reparations Commission, and the Council of Ambassadors, thereby proving her earnest desire to act, as far as now.ible, in co-oneration with France, while disapproving of the latter’s policy. Meantime she is awaiting the result of France’s action.—Reuter. BELGIUM’S STANDPOINT. NEW YORK. January 12. (Received Jan. 12, at 10.25 p.m.) The New York World’s Brussels correspondent interviewed tho Belgian Premier (M. Theunis) who stated that France had decided to enter the Paihr in order to take the guarantees and pledges which she considered the indispensible counterpart of the moratorium that had been granted to Germany. The Belgian Government thought the same way, for it must have reparations, and it was not possible to wait for them. It was employing this method of pressure, because for years allconciliatory measures had failed. If reasonable proposals were made to Belgium, she would a 1 wavs regard them favourably.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMANY’S REPLY.

WILL STOP PAYMENTS. APPEAL TO AMERICA. BERLIN. January 11. The Chancellor (Herr Cuno) announces that the reparations payments to France and Belgium and other countries which have broken the treaty will be stopped. He says that France’s action will have serious consequences. She is going to cut off that part of Germany which hitherto has paid reparations. Germany is helpless, but not broken, bv France's lawless act. The Government has ordered its diplomatic representatives abroad to enlighten the nations regarding the real reason for the French occupation of the Ruhr, and to protest against France's action and proclaim tho French violation of the Treaty of Versailles. —A. and N.Z. Cable. WASHINGTON, January 11. It is reported that Germany has decided to appeal direct to the United States Government. The German Ambassador at

Washington will present the text of tho appeal to Mr Hughes to-morrow, setting forth the position" of the Berlin Government in connection with the French advance in the Ruhr.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE APPEAL LODGED. OCCUPATION' VIOLATES TREATY. WASHINGTON, January 12. (Received Jan. 12, at 11.5 p.m.) The Slate Department has published the German protest which alleges that tho Treaty of Versailles does not permit the Ruhr occupation, because of Germany’s defaults in the deliveries of wood and coal. They would, according to the Note of the Reparations Commission of March 21, 1922, only justify demands for subsequent payments. The Versailles Treaty docs not admit of any territorial sanctions, arid the measures allowed by tho Treaty against Germany can only be applied by the Allied Powers as a whole, ami not by single Powers of their own accord. Germany does not intend to meet violence with violence, nor to reply to a breach of the Treaty with withdrawing from the Treaty, but so long as a state of affairs that is contrary tri the Treaty exists, Germany is not in a position to make actual reparations to those Powers which brought about this state of affairs.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

RECEIVED IN SILENCE. NEW YORK, January 12. (Received Jan. 12, at 10.25 p.m.) The New York Times’s Washington correspondent telegraphs: Dorr AVildfield (the Ambassador) delivered the German Government’s protest against the Ruhr invasion to Mr Hughes this evening, but it is believed that the United States docs not intend to use the tierman protest as a basis for any representations to the Allies.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS. AMSTERDAM, January 11. The German Government has decided to take the following measures immediately after the E'rench occupation is accomplished : Firstly, the Peace Treaty will be declared broken and its execution inoperative. Secondly, Germany will no longer negotiate with the Reparations Commission unless the injustice is removed. Thirdly, the use of alcoholic liquors will be reduced. Fourthly, Sunday will be declared a national clay of mourning. —A. and N.Z. Cable. COAL DELIVERIES STOPPED. BERLIN. January 11. (Received Jan. 12, at 8.6 n.m.) The German Government announces that deliveries of coal to the Allies will be stopped, as it is impossible to continue same while the French and Belgian authorities replace the Ruhr Coal Syndicate. Moreover, all coal which is.forcibly extracted must be mid for by the Governments responsible.—A. ■ and N.Z. Cable. A DAY OF MOURNING.

BERLIN, January 12. (Received Jan. 12, at 7.35 p.m.) Sunday will be a day of national mourning. Amusements will cease, and flags will be half-masted. Special services will ho held in the churches. The Trade Unions, also, are stopping work for half an hour on Monday, while the Cunnnunists urge a general strike to fight both the French and the Cuno Cabinet. —A. and N.Z. Cable. MR HUGHES’S PROPOSAL. THE DOOR STILL OPEN. NEW 7 YORK, January 11. (Received Jan. 12, at 7.35 p.m.) The New York Timer's Washington correspondent says; It is understood that the door is still open for the acceptance of Mr Hughes’s financial commission proposal, if France wishes to accept it. There are some indications that Trance may moderate her plans for the occupation of

tlie Ruhr, and inav not go as far as she originally intended. Hope is still not abandoned that France mav see. the light. AT. Jusserand and Mr Hughes conferred for an hour, but the nature of the conversations has not been disclosed. Paris reports that France had not understood that a formal exchange of views between Mr Hughes and M. Poincare was conducted through M. Jusserand are not taken seriously in official circles here.—A. and N.Z. Cable. COMMISSION REPRESENTATION. NEW YORK, January 11. The Government has intimated that Mr Boyden will not bo recalled for the present. His withdrawal will depend entirely upon the interests of the United States—namely, when it is felt that he can no longer bo of value, he will be recalled.—A. and N.Z. Cable. [This announcement is in reply to a demand in the Senate for the recall of Mr Boyden, who is America’s official observer ou the Reparations Commission.] AMERICAN COMMENT. NEW YORK, January 11. American Press comment on the withdrawal of the American troops from Germany is chequered in pattern. The New York World says: “There will be general American approval of Mr Harding’s action, but again Mr Harding’s gesture is too late and too fceblo to be effective. Instead of taking the initiative, he waited -for the Senate to take the initiative.” The Cleveland Plain Dealer declares: “A great many thinking Americans deplore the Government’s action in coming to a decision which so definitely aligns the United States against France and Italy,

and renders impossible any useful American participation in the work of solving European economical problems.’’ The New York Times says: ‘‘The case as it stands amidst so many uncertainties is certainly not one in whicli Americans can take deep satisfaction. We set out ostensibly to help to clear un the European difficulties. Instead of demonstrating our friendship we have demonstrated something which the world will call exasperation because our advice was not instantly taken and our rdans accepted.” The Chicago Tribune considered that action must be taken as a diplomatic comment of dissent or disapproval of the Ruhr move. ‘‘We cling to the hope that some means mav be found before matters have gone too far to lay the foundations of a constructive policy towards Germany.”— A. and N.Z. Cable. EARLY PARIS MESSAGES. PARIS, January 11. M. Poincare will speak in the Chamber

of Deputies to-day, outlining the circumstances of the rupture with Britain. After his speech he will move the postponement of the Socialist interpellations regarding the occupation of the Ruhr and will demand a vote of confidence. Three well-known Communists were arrested on their return from the Ruhr.— A. and N.Z. Cable. TRENCH HOPES. PARIS. January 11. French and Belgian control will secure four-fifths of the total German coal production. Le Journal says: The coal from the Ruhr, which was accustomed to he sent to Germany, will now carry a duty of four marks, which France intends to put

in her exchequer. With this ami the proposed Customs ring, France will soon have a milliard marks.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN AMBASSADOR’S DEPARTURE. BARIS. January 11. The German Ambassador left without notifying his departure lo the Foreign Office, which consequently does not regard bis departure as a recall.—A. and N.Z. Cable.