THE RUHR PROBLEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16213, 25 August 1923, Page 5

THE RUHR PROBLEM.

M. POINCARE'S NOTE,

EJec. Tel Copyright— united Press Assn.i lAustralian' and'N.Z. -.Cable Association..* j LONDON, ■'August 23.. British official ■ circles ' see .in jj M. Poincaro.'s Note - several i favorable features.'•' The question*-of the* method of j'cvacuaiing~.Ruhr is: set'-forth" in black; and white. These conditions show air advance on" tlic<previous'attitude, .while the possibility of experts in an advisory • capacity assisting the Reparations Commission in modifying the method of payments, is not altogether precluded, nor is the possibility of friendly conversations between M. Poincare and,Mr. Baldwin blanketed.

SENSATION MAY BE CAUSED BY

BELGIAN REPLY,

iAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, August 23.

Tho Daily Telegraph's Brussels correspondent says that a portion of tho Belgian reply regarding Belgium's priority will probably cause something of a sensation. It will follow from figures to bo quoted that Britain received from Germany sums at least equal to those which by prior right up to tho present belonged to Belgium. The remainder of tho reply, after establishing the absolute legality of the Ruhr occupation, will bo devoted to sketching a plan of reparations, which might servo as a basis for discussion and lead to a definite agreement.

GERMAN" CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH A STRAIGHT TALK.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

LONDON, August 24.

The Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent reports Dr. Stresemann, having studied MvPoineuro's reply, will make nn important speech on Friday, when hfl will bo entertained by the representatives of industry and commerce at a luncheon. There is little doubt that Dr.- Stresemann will receive certain encouragement from the French to be frank and .bold.

Tho correspondent says: "J. can state on the best authority that noteworthy hints have been given privately from Franco that there cxixsts on the French side a. real desire to mako tilings- easy for him. A study of- the French reply has led tho German Government to think that perhaps after all M. Poincare will negotiate. A high Government official said that' Dr. Stresemann \s speech ' will be straight talk instead of a diplomatic document.

GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER

CALL TO INDIVIDUAL SACRIFICE

Australian an<i V.Z. P-aKi Association

(Received August 25, 10 a.m.) .BERLIN, August 24.

Herr Hilferding, Minister for Finance, addressing the party leaders in the Reichstag, said if the German currency were further inflated it would mean deatn to Germany. Tho State was bound to v pay contributions, to municipalities and keep up payments to State departments, otherwise there would bo a national breakdown. Stabilisation by taxes alone was impossible. The deficit on the railways for tho past year was 450 billion marks. The. deficit under tho peace treaty amounted to many billions. It was ■ to compel people to deliver up foreign currencies and force industries to sell out stocks, thus hoping to get back to the gold standard. If the results were unsatisfactory stronger measures would be taken. Every German must be prepared in tho near future to make sacrifices, otherwise a tremendous catastrophe would face the country. The Government " was the last bulwark against complete ruin.

CAREFUL CONSIDERATION NECESSARY. \ BELGiAN REPLY DUE ON MONDAY.

BRITAIN'S FINANCIAL SACRIFICE.

.Australian and N.Z. Cable Association j

(Received August 25, 9.i5 a.m.") LONDON/Aug. 24. There is no prospect of an immediate answer to iho French Note.' Caroful consideration is required of the many complex questions involved! Cabinet is unlekiy to meetl for some days, especially as it is desired to have Belgium's reply, which will not reacli London ■; before Monday. High authorities, commenting on the French note, >.say that what perplexes the British authorities is the reiterated statement) that British, advances for the purpose of reaching a settlement represent no sacrifices on Britain's part. France wants twenty-six milliards first, leaving her debt to be met by a subsequent contribution. Whether the -latter can be collected or uotl is another matter.' Yet we are told'' Britain's motive is money. In actual'truth' this countiy had relinquished a sum almost equivalent to .the amount) required-'by France to rebuild her devastated regions. Were France prepared- to make a corresponding contribution towards rehabilitating, Europe generally, genuine progress would bo made in solving tho economic problems confronting both countries. ...

The Morning Post's Paris correspondent says there are abundant press comments on M. Poincaro's note, especially regarding the declaration' that France will bo unable to pay principal and interest o» her debt to Britain until full reparations have been received from Germany; secondly, that both sides having stated their case and figures to the world tho way for agreement is now open; thirdly, no useful purpose can be served by a further exchange of notes. GEv.eoi the Radical press refrains from criticising M. Poincare. M. Hcrriot, leader of the left, who liopes to succeed M. Poincare, writing to tho press, whild emphasising Britain's financial and economic difficulties, argues thati M. Poincare's Charlevillo speech on tho 19th. indicated the only helpful way out, when he pleaded for. a. search for a practical solution instead of continuing, controversies.

BRITISH LABOR RESOLUTION

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.. (Received August 25, -noon.) LONDON, August 24. A joint meeting of the-General Coun- ■ cil of Trade Union -Congress and the executive of the Socialist party passed a ••esolution deeply deploring Franco's inention to continue the military occupation of Ruhr, urging its rejection, an" impartial inquiry into Germany's capacity to pay, fixation of the total reparation payment, and appealing to the French Labor-Socialist movement to work for a more concilitory policy for settlement of the reparations problem bv negotiation on the ground that if despair due to the occupation, leads to violence and loss of life,' all Ktirope would suffer, and the world would again see tho spectacle of brute forco failing to realise what common-sense and, goodwill might achieve by negotiations. After hearing a report oh Ruhr by Mr. Shaw, M.P., the meeting declared that tho people of Ruhr would support A, reasonable settlement if treated as free men and women. The menace of military oppression should -bo removed. It, is believed ■ passive resistance is not duo to Berlin's behest, but is a. spontaneous people's manifestation against military . dictatorship. The meeting urged the British Government to persist in the efforts to bring about necotiaitions for a final settlement - of the ■ reparations question between Britain, France, Belgium,. Italy, and Germany. BRITAIN'S INTEREST CLAIM. lAustrallan and N.Z. Cubic Association.' (Receiyed August 25, 12.50 p.m.) PARIS, August 2*. Tho Temps says that Britain's claim for 6 per cent.' interest means »

payment of 740 millions of gold marks yearly. As neither France nor Italy* up tilß now has recovered the equivalent fromv Germany, how does Britain hope to extract this interest from Germany in addition' to tho reparations due to all tho Allies?.