IN THE RUHR.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1923, Page 5

IN THE RUHR.

FRENCH GRIP TIGHTENS. FURTHER OCCUPATION. MORE CUSTOMS POSTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 6, 7.20 p.m. London, Feb. 6. A telegram from Essen states the complete occupation is pending of Vohwinkel, Bauinberg and Solingen, where customs posts will be established. Export from the Ruhr of salammonia, benzol and other coal by-products is being stopped.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Association. London, Feb. 4. According to advices from Essen, Bergborn, in the British zone, has been occupied w’ith the British consent by the French, in pursuance of the policy of tightening the control of the prohibited import and export of coal by-pro-ducte, like benzol and ammonia. The attitude of the miners continues uncertain, except regarding their emphatic objection to the presence of troops at the mince. The miners’ organisation a fortnight ago obtained a 72 per cent, increase of wages and is now demanding a further addition on the ground of the enormous rise in the cost of living. POLICY OF BRITAIN. IMPORTANCE OF AGREEMENT. Received Feb. 6, 7.20 p.m. London, Feb. 5. Sir P. Lloyd Graeme, in a speech at Stoke-on-Trent, said the Government’s first consideration regarding the Ruhr was to secure a final settlement, for if Germany wa«? to pay even the interest on her debts it was essential that her credit should be restored. Secondly, there should be a moratorium and the stabilisation of the mark. There was nothing further from the truth than that the whole matter was to be left to Germany'<s discretion. The British proposals held out a strong prospect of trade revival, which was no necessary to Germany. The British proposal was to create in Germany a strong financial commission, which would dictate to Germans the necessary conditions. If Germany failed to obey the commission’s instructions or to pay its demands the most stringent punitive measures would be taken, either by territorial occupation or the collection of revenues. Regarding the French action, the only hope was that its effects might be localised and the mutual relations between Britain and France affected to the smallest possible extent.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable -Association. NEW THREAT OF STRIKE. Received. Feb. 6. 7.20 p.m. Berlin, Feb. G. The general workers at Offenburg have sent an ultimatum to the French commander declaring that if all restrictions are not withdrawn immediately a strike will eneue. AIMS OF FRANCE. WILL NOT RUIN GERMANY. Received Feb. 6, 8 p.m. Paris, Feb. 6. M. Jusserand. in a speech, said France was not seeking the economic ruin of Germany, though Germany sought the economic ruin of France, but if the former enemy would come now and say simply, “We were in the wrong,” France would melt. There can be no truce and no real peace, much as France longs for it, until the Germans admit their guilt. SIGNIFICANCE OF OCCUPATION. • Paris, Feb. 5. The French placarded Offenburg stating that the advance has no military aim but is taken solely as a sanction against German actions contrary to the Treaty, such as the cessation of ♦lie inteTnational train. TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES. COAL TRAIN’S ADVENTURE. London, Feb. 4. The Daily Chronicle’s Dusseldorf correspondent says that everybody is ! awaiting news of the first coal train to France. It started manned by Frenchmen, but the stationmaster at Hohenduberg refused to allow it to pass the signals. The points were wrong, the engine developed defects and the train got no further. If these difficulties attend the running of one coal train what will be the trouble when dealing with 200. which arc daily required to carry France’s portion of reparation coal. German laborers in some places refused to accept from the French fivefold the normal wages to load coal. French troops at Bochum used revolvers 'because Germans refused to obey o.xlers and two Germans were killed and four wounded. The affair was hushed up. TRAINS IN COLLISION. Berlin, Feb. 5. Two trains collided and a third was derailed near Mayence. All were driven by Frenchmen. Herr Cuno has gone to Essen and Bochum.

French troops, in order to disperse a crowd at Essen, when rival processions of Nationalists and Communists met, used machine-guns, which were fired over the people’s heads. No casualties resulted.