PACT IN DANGER

Southland Times, Issue 19335, 29 August 1924, Page 5

PACT IN DANGER

GERMAN DISSENSION FREE FIGHT IN REICHSTAG NATION DEEPLY STIRRED. DISAPPOINTMENT AND CONSTERNATION. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) BERLIN, August 27. It is officially announced that the Reichstag will be dissolved in the event of the rejection of the London Pact, which, however, will be signed in any cas* 1 by the Government on the 30th inst. There was a fight in the Reichstag between the Communists and the Democrats, in which one of the latter was struck by a Communist. This led to a general melee. A tremendous uproar ensued, in which the public joined. The President of the Reichstag vainly tried to restore order. Finally he left the House and suspended the sitting.

The Federal Nationalist organisations held a conference in the Reichstag, and by a large majority adopted a resolution for the rejection of the Dawes Bills. Even the Rhinelanders opposed them. WILD SCENES ENACTED, WORST DISPLAY ON RECORD. PENT UP PARTY FEELINGS, LONDON, August 27. (Received August 28, 11 pjn.) The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express says: ‘The Reichstag was the scene of the worst display of hooliganism ever seen in any Parliament. Members with clenched fists rushed shrieking at each other, climbed the desks and benches and clutched at tach other’s throats and tore each other’s hair in a struggling, kicking heap on the floor. Some of the public shouted encouragement to the combatants while others demanded the ending of the disgraceful scene. When finally the dishevelled members picked themselves up, the floor was covered with collars and ties and bundles of papers which had been used as missiles.”

The Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post says: “The scene illustrated most clearly the over-wrought state of feeling here.”

NOTHING SHORT OF A CATASTROPHE.

For days it has been taken for granted that failure to ratify the Dawes Scheme would lead to nothing short of a catastrophe. Everyone, even the Nationalist Press, concluded that the Nationalists in the last resort would permit ratification. Other parties have done everything to make the Nationalists retreat.

The Nationalists decided to abide by the result of to-day’s meeting of/he party but its rejection of the scheme, to the general surprise and consternation of all, appears to end all likelihood of a happy issue. Consequently all parties are preparing plans for an election. THE ONLY HOPE JEOPARDISED. The disappointment and consternation at to-day's development is widespread, people recalling the hopelessness of the past year's currency depreciation, the futile struggle in the Ruhr and the general impoverishment. They see the most advantageous settlement ever likely to be offered to Germany jeopardised by a single party possessing no constructive alternative to ratification. ANOTHER SCENE, COMMUNISTS EXPELLED. BRITAIN IN THE COLOGNE ZONE. BERLIN, August 27. (Received August 29, 1 a.m.) There was an exciting sequel to this morning’s disturbance in the Reichstag. On She resumption of the sitting, the President iHerr Wallraff) ordered the suspension of three Communists. The latter declined to depart and Herr Wallraff dramatically ardered the clearance of the public galleries while the recalcitrant members were forcibly ejected. Thereupon 25 detectives trooped into the Chamber, being greeted with ironical laughter and the singing of the Internationale by the Communists. The culprits finally departed peaceably. The Dawes Bills were read a second time. The decisive reading was postponed to Friday, when very close voting is clearly foreshadowed.

According to Cologne reports, the War Office has ordered the suspension of all new works performed by the Royal Engineers in connection with military requirements except emergency repairs.

JAPAN’S ENDORSEMENT. SIGNATURE TO LONDON AGREEMENT. TOKIO, August 27. (Received August 29, 1.5 a.m.) Cabinet has instructed Count Hasashi to sign the London agreement for Japan. FRANCO-GERMAN TRADE AGREEMENT. SAID TO HAVE*BEEN SIGNED. FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES. PARIS, August 28. (Received August 29, 1.30 aon.) Le Matin states that the first FrancoGerman trade agreement has been signed. It relates to potash deliveries to America under which Alsace for a period of three years will take 374 per cent and Germany 621 per cent of the business. Le Matin adds that the agreement will doubtless open the way to an agreement between manufacturers in the iron and textiles on both banks of the Rhine. The Kolnische Zeitung considers the agreement more interesting than all the protocols of London.