NO COMPROMISE

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 5

NO COMPROMISE

THE RUHR SCHISM FRENCH AND BRITISH CONFLICT (By Telegraph—Press Awn.—Copyright’. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) PARIS, June 12. The press variously comments on Britain’s decision regarding the German proposal. The Petit Pariaien says Britain does not accept the French viewpoint but desires to co-operate and makes a proposal which she considers will form the basis of eventual compromises. The Echo de Paris states that the decision recalls the worst days of Mr Llcyd George. The tragic influence of the humanitarianism of Lord Robert Cecil and Mr McKenna is making itself felt. The decision does not lessen the Franco-British schism which commenced in January. The Matin says: “If Britain really persists in encouraging German resistance she will be unable to stand the strain of the consequences of the economic crisis which France has decided to carry to the tragic end. Britain's request that we open negotiations before the Reich and industrial magnates have capitulated is one they dare not make to the Britiish people. Why does Britain refuse to make a statement, if not signifying approval, at least indicating the wish to use the Allied cause represented by the Franco-Belgian armies’ triumph? There would be no humiliation in doing that. France has gone far in conciliations, informing London of its carefully considered views on reparations.” The Figaro states that though conversations are cordial, viewpoints are unreconciled. For the moment there is an impasse. BELGIUM’S STAND. REPARATIONS FIRST CONCERN. kOT DISPOSED TO ABANDON RIGHTS BRUSSELS, June 12. (Received June 14, 12,30 a.m.) H. J asp ar, Minister of Economic Affairs, during the debate in the Chamber on the Foreign Office estimates, said that Germany, while not paying reparation, was spending millions of gold marks in American propaganda. Belgium entered the Ruhr, not against her will, but because her interests demanded it. She would evacuate the Ruhr only when she received reparations. Belgium regarded the Versailles Treaty as her charter, and had decided to execute its provisions until she obtained satisfaction. Belgium had used every opportunity to bring I rance and Britain together, and still hoped r or Allied unity. Belgium’s insistence on the abandonment of passive resistance in the Ruhr did not exclude the possibility of in ter-Allied diplomatic negotiations over the German note, but in a desire to restore Allied unity, they must not permit Germany to believe that Belgium was in the least iisposed to abandon her rights.

CONVERSATIONS WITH FRANCE CONTINUE. NEED FOR ALLIED UNITY. LONDON, June 13. (Received June 13, 8.45 p.m. I Lord Cunon again had a conference with the French and Belgian Ambassadors. It is learned in official quarters that conversations with France are continuing. The Daily Express says that it has been strongly represented to France that no permanent settlement of the reparations problem was posable unless the Allies act together. “Britain finds it impossible to take any part in conjunction with France and Belgium to advance the policy of the Ruhr occupation, which she considers as diminishing the prospect of German contributions. This side of the question,” the Daily Express adds, “comes into prominence owing to the fact that £15,000,000 is due to America from Britain on Friday as interest on loans. It is already transferred by way of credits to America, and is waiting in the bank there for transference on the appointed day.” SABOTAGE INCREASING. PARIS, June 12. (Received June 13, 8.45 p.m.) Sabotage is increasing in the Ruhr. Several bombs exploded on the railway in Dusseldorf district, cutting up the line and in one instance throwing an engine off the track. TAX ON IMPORTATIONS FROM GERMANY. PARIS, June 12. (Received June 13, 8.45 p.m.) The inter-AUied Commission in Coblenz decided to impose a tax of 25 per cent, of the value on goods imported into the ©ccupied territory from Germany. FRENCH ULTIMATUM. DEMAND FOR DORTMUND MURDERERS. LONDON, June 12. Genera! Degoutte has arrested two members of the Dortmund Town Council and two German police officers and given the town twenty-four hours wherein to deliver the persons responsible for the murder of two French non-commissioned officers. Under threat of further sanctions of the French seized the Dortmund branch of the Reichebank. SIX GERMANS SHOT. PARIS, June 12. Advices from Dusseldorf state that a French patrol threatened in the streets on Monday night, after diving due marning, fired on a crowd of German civilians who refused to disperse. Six we r e killed and three wounded.