THE RUHR PROBLEM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 3

THE RUHR PROBLEM.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION. A REDUCTION TO BE MADE. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! PARIS, Dec. 31. In view of the improved conditions in the Ruhr the Government has authorised General Degouette to reduce the army of occupation by troops equivalent to three regiments, which already have left for France.

PRE-WAR LAVISHNESS

GERMAN PAPER'S APPEAL

(The Times.) (Received January 2, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1

The Times' Berlin correspondent says the newspapers are publishing grave leaders, warning countrymen travelling abroad to avoid giving offence and exhibiting vulgar ostentation. Recently, according to tho Lokal Anzieger there were no fewer than sixty .Germans at one of the most expensive Lucernei hotels. It. is also reported that Germans are almost the sole visitors at the most expensive hotels at Basle and Zurich at present. The Lokal Anzeiger adds: "When Germany is appealing to the world to help her starving people if is unseemly that. German industrialists should bo giving dinners at Swiss towns with prowar lavishness; thereupon they are advised to be morei modest in their behavior."

REGROUPING OF FORCES

NO RETURN TO INVISIBLE OCCUPATION.

(The Times.) (Received 1 January 2, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1

Tho Times' Paris correspondence says the departure from Ruhr of certain French troops is giving risa to reports of large withdrawals in the New Year. It is suggested that a change is ostentatiously being made for January 11th, anniversary of the beginning of the Ruhr occirjiation, but there is no official confirmation for these reports. It may be stated authoritatively it is unlikely there will bo any sudden withdrawal on a large scale oil any particular date. When the decision to regroup the Franco-Belgian forces in Ruhr was recently taken it was left to the French commander to cany out, at his own discretion, and it is contemplated that any changes, whether a reduction or mere rearrangoment would be made gradually. A return to what is termed "invisible occupation'' was never intended as a sudden act of grace.