THE RUHR CONTEST

Southland Times, Issue 18928, 30 April 1923, Page 5

THE RUHR CONTEST

GERMANY'S NEW OFFER INDUSTRIAL MAGNATES BEING CONSULTED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 27. The Daily Chronicle’s Dusseldorf correspondent states that Herr Cuno and the industrial magnates are experiencing great difficulty regarding the amount the latter should guarantee in support of the new reparations offer. Some think £3, 000,000,000 not too much in order to end the Ruhr conflict. They believe Germany could eventually pay it. Others are strongly opposed to offer anything beyond £1.500,000,000. The Government now intends to offer the Allies a definite •um, but wants to know the extent to which it can rely upon magnates’ guarantees. Owing to protracted negotiations on this point the offer will not be made tiff next week. PROGRESS BEING MADE, NOTE TO ALLIES EXPECTED SOON. BERLIN, April 28. (Received April 29, 5.5 pun.) Newspapers learn that the Government •onference have advanced matters so that the Cabinet will be able to consider the main points of the Note over the weekend. These will then be presented to the leaders of the political parties for their opinion. The note, therefore, is not expected before the middle of next week. WHAT FRANCE WANTS. LAYING DOWN OF ALL ARMS. PARIS, April 27. The Matin in an editorial defines France’s attitude in the event of Germany making any reparation proposals worthy of consideration which is still doubtful. France would demand as a first consideration the laying down of all arms and the abandonment of every provision designed to encourage resistance to the Allies. Until Herr Cuno can give a clear and precise undertaking to that effect France can only regard any atempt to open negotiations as a manoeuvre unworthy of serious attention. PASSPORTS FOR GERMANS. PARIS, April 28. (Received April 29, 5.5 p.mJ The Inter-Allied Rhineland Commission has decided to force all travellers from unoccupied Germany to produce passports on entering the Rhineland on bridgehead areas. This is the reply to President Eberts decree closing the German frontiers to all Germans except holders of special permits. THE REICHSBANK. PROFITS FROM LAST YEAR. BERLIN, April 27. The Reichsbank, in ita annual report for 1922, discloses a net profit of 43,500,000.000 marks compared with 565,000,000 in 1921. The dividend is 40 per cent, instead of 10 per cent. The Government’s share of the profit is 17,200,000,000 marks.