FRENCH ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1923, Page 5

FRENCH ADVANCE.

COMPLETE PLANS MADE. “TO BERLIN IF NECESSARY.” TROOPS WELL EQUIPPED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London. Jan. 17. The Daily Mail’s Dusseldorf correspondent states that the French have complete plans for dealing with any situation that may arise. A Dencf prevails throughout the Ruhr that an advance is likely on Munster. It is rumoured that forces of the Reichswehr there may attempt armed oppo-. sition. The madness of such an enterprise is apparent to anyone who watched the march of the perfectly-equipped French army with seventy-fives 7 howitzers, machine-guiie, armoured cars, and tanks, following closely, cavalry and in. fantry regiments. A prominent member of the French minion told the Times* Dusseldorf correspondent that “there is nothing we are not prepared to do to compel the industrialists to abandon tneir present attitude. We will even go to Berlin if necessary.”—United Service.

SOVIET LOOK FOR WAR. READY TO HELP GERMANY. Received Jan. 19, 1.20 a.m. London, Jan. IS. A reliable message from Moscow declares the Soviet has decided to mobilise five years’ conscripts, intending to assist Germany if armed resistance to the French occupation becomes feasible. REPARATION PAYMENTS. SOME STILL TO BE MADE. Received Jan. 19. 1.20 a.m. Berlin, Jan. 18. ~ Tne government is introducing a Bill similar to the Defence of the Realm Act. Although reparation deliveries to France and Belgium have ecased, it is stated they will continue to be made io Britain, Italy, Jugo-Slavia and Poland. FURTHER SANCTIONS. EXPLOITING TIMBER. Received Jan. 19, 1.20 a.m. Paris. Jan. 18. Orders have been given for the immediate exploitation of the State forests on the left bank of the Rhine as a sanction for the default of timber deliveries. “IT’S AN ILL WIND ” UNEMPLOYED WANT WORK. Received Jan. IS. 7.15 p.m. London, Jan. 17. Hundreds of unemployed are beseiging the French Consulate at Liverpool desiring work in the Ruhr mines. The officials of the Consulate are awaiting instructions, and in the meantime can do nothing.—Reuter. Received Jan. 18, 9.10 p.m. London, Jan. 17. Another Liverpool report states the unemployed beseiging the French Consulate are seeking to join the French army in the. Ruhr, but the French Embassy in London announces that it is most unlikely that any English recruits can be utilised.

GERMANS ADAMANT. REFUSAL TO DELIVER COAL. Paris, Jan. 17. German industrialists met at Dusseldorf and declared that they would not deliver coal. Herr Stinnes’ representative said he would go to prison rather than disobey the Government’s orders. The Petit Parisien’s Berlin correspondent says that following the interview with the French generals, the engineers and industrialists of the occupied region approached the Government seeking information. They said that while they were disposed to confirm the Governmental decrees the position was very difficult. They drew attention to the grave crisis which would result from strict observance of the decrees of the Government.

The semi-official note declares that Germany will refuse to negotiate as long as French and Belgian troops remain in the Ruhr. La Matin warns Berlin of the consequences of its attitude, recalling the fact that ten million Germans in the Rhineland and the Ruhr arc economically independent of the rest oi Germany. and pointing out that a solution can be found organising the Rhine-, land and Ruhr into a buffer State under international control, from which the Allies can obtain reparation payments without affecting the prosperity of these regions. L’Echo National says that unless Germany yields France will be forced to carry out her entire plan by establishing a Customs cordon east of the Ruhr along the right bank of the Rhine, thus rendering herself mistress of the economic relations of the Ruhr and Rhineland, and also the jest of Germany. The Petit Parisien says that while only 3000 tons of coal have till now been diverted to Alied countries, it is hoped rapidly to attain 15,000 tons of coal and 15*000 tons of coke daily. The mines should yield about 1,350,000 tons of coal monthly.

AMERICAN ACTION EXPLAINED.

Washington, Jan. 17. The State Department to-night cleared up the confusion concerning Mr Bovdente reported reparations’ plan. Mr Boyden, in November, upon suggestions of the Reparations Committee, prepared a memorandum which would serve as a basis of communication with the German Government concerning reparations. Mr Boyden was further requested to draw up a letter to send to Germany. He did this purely as a personal matter, although lie forwarded a copy to the State Department. The letter did not contain any plan for the settlement of reparations but dealt with general considerations concerning the necessity of establishing confidence and especially regarding the importance of the German Government expressing Germany’s national will for peace. Mr Boyden did not consult the State Department before drawing up hi» letter.