REPARATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18928, 31 July 1923, Page 7

REPARATIONS.

FRENCH AND BELGIAN REPLIES. THE DOCUMENTS COMPARED. Urc** Association —By Telegraph—Copyrigat PARIS, July 29. The Belgian reply has been received. It is understood that it shows a readier inclination than the French Note towards Britain’s suggestions relating to the guarantees offered by Germany, and the new estimate of Germany's capacity to pay. On the other hand the Trench reply contains a very complete criticism of the British thesis and puts several questions to the British Government, particularly on the subject of the inter-Allied debts.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN PROCLAMATION. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. BERLIN, July 29. The Government’s proclamation explaining the difficulties of the reparations positions appeals to the people to observe law and order, and urges them to stand firm until an expert estimate is obtained of Germany’s capacity to pay. Meanwhile the Government will endeavour to strengthen the financial and economic position by increasing taxation with a view to helping the Ruhr and steadying the exchange,—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN COMMUNISTS. FEEBLE DEMONSTRATIONS. BERLIN, July iri. (Received July 30, at 8.15 p.m.) The Communist demonstration at Potsdam was a fiasco, the heavy rain being too much for the would-be demonstrators. The projected demonstration at Dresden resulted similarly. The only trouble was reported from Neuruppin, where the Communists endeavoured to upset a farmers’ meeting. One Communist was killed and six were injured.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RUHR FOOD SUPPLY. POSITION BECOMING DESPERATE. L PARIS, July 29. (Received July 30, at 8.15 p.m.) The food situation in the Ruhr is becoming desperate. The French admit that there is a shortage of meat and potatoes. Only 161 food wagons entered the Ruhr on Friday, instead of the usual 600. The French and Belgians say that they are not placing any embargo on the entry of food, and they attribute the situation to the financial chaos in Germany making it difficult for Germany to obtain foreign supplies. Berlin messages on the other hand indicate that what irritates the German people is not the fall of the mark but the fact that potatoes which are the staple food of the masses have almost vanished from the i artisan quarters. The German farmers deny that they are holding back supplies, and say that the weather her made the potato season late.—A. and N.Z. Cable.