SECOND EDITION. Ruhr Occupation

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 92, 23 August 1923, Page 6

SECOND EDITION. Ruhr Occupation

FRENCH' NOTE TO BRITAIN, PASSIVE RESISTANCE MUST CEASE. NO ANNEXATION AIMS, PNh .Aaaociation —Copyright, Australien and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received 12.20 p.m.) Paris, August 22. The French Note has been issued, and asks the Allies. Ao credit France with twenty-six milliard gold marks in A and 6 bonds; also 'to credit her with O bonds to an amount that will be sufficient under the Head of Allied Debte. 1 The ‘Note declares that the Ruhr occupation was fully justified by the Treaty and the Allies’ 'declarations, notably the Spa protocol in July 1920.- •• ' ■ 1

France claims that the cessation of passive resistance is an esisential condition precedent to further con-' vernations on occupation. Once ' passive resistance ceases, the occupation will be. modified definitely, and the Note suggests that if resistance ceases ' France will undertake to guarantee the progressive evacuation of the Unfair in proportion as Germany makes payments under conditions* altogether different from those now! obtaining. France does not intend remaining in the Ruhr longer than necessary. She has no aims of a political or annexationist character. France recognises her debts, but is forced to. declare she can only pay after she has received what is due* from Germany; also, France,- in addition to - twenty-six milliards gold marks, will claim the amount the Allies claim from her. Thus, the less the Allies’ claim from her the smaller will .be the amount Germany will have to pay. This method will not necessitate a revision of the Treaty, whereas the British suggestions if carried; into effect would destroy sev- . eral clauses. France considers it ought ,to beeasy. to come to an .understanding for the earliest possible settlement ofthat part of the German, debt corresponding with the cost of the reconstruction of the devastated’ regions, leaving for later consideration the seoond and also the question of the war; debts.