RUHR OCCUPATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19047, 18 December 1923, Page 7

RUHR OCCUPATION

END OF PASSIVE RESISTANCE. German Official Waits on M. Poincare. Pree» Association —By '-'olejrraph—Copyright LONDON, December 16. The German Charge d’Affaires (Herren Von Hoesch and Roediger) waited respectively on M. Poincare and M. Jasper (Belgian Foreign Minister) in Paris and lirus eels, and made similar remarks with reference to reparations aaid the Ruhr ana Rhineland. Herr Von Hoesch proposed the constitution of a commission with a view to restoring the administrative machinery in those districts. M. Poincare said that it was impossible to discuss the powers conferred on it Reparations Commission by the Versailles Treaty, and it was impossible for France to deprive her agents in the occupied territory of their proper authority. The. could be no question of modifying the conditions in the territory. The Interallied Rhineland Commission administered the territory in order to avoid all possibility of misunderstanding. M. Poincare requested Herr Voi: Hoesch to prepare a written statement explaining the views of his Government. Kerr Von Hoesch undertook to furnish a statement at the earliest moment. M. Jaspar took cognisance of Herr Roediger’s declaration, and stated that he would communicate with the French Government with a view to a reply.—Reuter. “FRANCE WILL NOT CONSENT.” A TYPICAL REPLY. PARIS, December 17. (Received Dec. 17, at 9.5 p.m.) Directly Von Hoesch delivered the German proposals in writing M. Poin care began drafting a reply. He said that France will not consent to the withdrawal of the Franco-Belgian authorities in the Ruhr or cf the Interallied Commission in the other occupied territories, but is willing to accept any conversations relative to the prorogation of the agree ment with the German magnates. M Poincare concluded by calling attention to the fact that the Interallied Commission of Military Control had not resumed regular working. Until this is done Germany is not loyally executing th Versailles Treaty. While advanced Republican organs desire M. Poincare to proceed with negotiations the Nationalist newspapers regard Germany's move with much suspicion, and urge M. Poincare not to give up any pledges given.—A. and N.Z. Cable. M. POINCARE’S NEW ATTITUDE. VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS. LONDON, December 16. The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says: “M. Poincare’s long period of passive resistance has ended. For nearly a year he has stubbornly turned a deaf ear tq representatives both from Britain and Germany. Now he is going to hear ‘Germany’s case.’’ The Quai d’Orsay says that the volte face is due to passive resistance in t! P.uhr ending. Others contend that it is due to fear as to what will happen to the Entente in the event of a Labour Government coming into- power in Britain. —A. and N.Z. Cable. BERLIN, December 16. (Received Dec. 17, at 9.15 p.m.) The general belief is that England k paralysed in foreign affairs, and the M. Poincare is using the fact agains* Germany, for which reason M. Poincare has chosen the present time to declare negotiations possible.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN POLITICAL PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED. BERLIN, December 16 According to advices from Essen, the French and Belgian military commanders have informed the German Red Cross that a large number of political prisoner? would shortly be released, as passive resistance may now be regarded as ended. —Reuter. THE RHINELAND PROBLEM. TWO COURSES FOR FRANCE. LONDON, December 16. The Cologne correspondent of The Times says: “Different indications point to January 1 as the date on which the question of Rhineland will come to head. The German Government ha: already announced its intention of stopping the payments which it is at presenl making,for the maintenance of the armies of occupation. It will then remain to be seen whether France will exert precure to extort further payments, or agree to reduce the garrisons and meet the cost herself.” —The Times.