PROBLEM OF THE RUHR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 September 1923, Page 7

PROBLEM OF THE RUHR.

Anglo-French Conversations

DEFINITE SOLUTION NOT

REACHED

BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT PARIS, September 19.

A communique states while M. Poincare and Mr Baldwin were unable to reach a definite solution, their conversation established a common agreement and view.

FINANCIAL CHAOS IN GERMANY,

SEIZURE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY,

BERLIN’S POLICY CONDEMNED

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. BERLIN, September 19.

Acting under instructions from the Commissioner, the police raided big cafes and seized foreign currencies belonging to customers, who were unable to prove their right to hold them. The raid was carried out under the personal supervision of the Commissioner of Foreign Currency, assisted by a large force of uniformed police, who guarded all exits, while plain clothes men proceeded to search everybody's pockets irrespective' •of nationality. Waiters provided rich booty. Foreigners were informed that the money would be returned if they were able to prove that they were entitled to it.

Futilo efforts were made by angry, disappointed people to hide foreign ourrency under sofas and tables. It is declared that the raid brought in large sums. “Germany has lost another war,” writes Professor Jung in the "Cologne Tageblatt,” which voices the views of bankers and leading industrialists. “If Genera] Ludendorff was a gambler, Dr. Cuno and others like him are entitled to sit beside him at the roulette table. The Government organised and financed resistance in the Ruhr. The authorities should have seen within six weeks that greater damage was accruing than benefit, hut the resistance was as deliberately prolonged ns was the war. If it had been modified, the Ruhi •would not now be a mass of ruins. The result has been a complete French victory.” President Jung blames the trade unions and social Democrats.

Tbe latter retort accusing'* the bankers and industrialists of pursuing selfish, unpatriotic ends.

GERMANY’S ONE GREAT

MISTAKE

CREDULITY IN HIGH PLACES

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 8.35 p.m., September 20.) BERLIN. September 19.

Dr. Hertseifer, Prussian Minister of Public Welfare, addressing the delegates of the Centre Party, declared that one great German mistake w r as the belief that England would haul them out of their difficulties. Such credulity in leading places .had reduced Germany to her present condition. It would he well if Germany got rid of the idea that tho whole world had nothing more important to do than help them out of the Ruhr scrape. We cannot permanently continue tho Ruhr adventure; moreover, the great unproductive expenditure incurred by tho Reich on behalf of tho Ruhr adventure, "was the main cause of the mark’s ruin.

GERMANY’S DESPERATE STRAITS,

PEOPLE DESIRE CALMER WATERS.

13 y Cable—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 11.30 p.m., September 20.) LONDON, September 2.

The Berlin correspondent of tbo “Daily Chronicle” says the political hopes have been heightened by the Poincare-Bald win Conference. The stock exchange took no notice of these signs. The mark fell from 020 millions to 820 millions to the £, and a further considerable drop occurred after hours.

The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” states tho Socialist members of the Reichstag met and unanimously agreed- that everything must be done to come to immediate negotiations aiming at the liberation of the Ruhr. Probably the Socialist Trades Unions will assume responsibility for suggesting a method by which the Ruhr conflict can he ended. Mr Lloyd George’s hook, entitled “Is it. Peace?” is being published next week. It contains important previously unpublished statements on reparations. The Brussels correspondent of tho “Daily Express” says the National Bank safes are being tilled with a mass of German marks. The stock has continually increased since the armistice. The bank has already sold 3G2 tons of marks as waste paper.

“NO DIFFERENCE OF PURPOSE.”

OUTCOME OR PREMIER’S MEETING.

Ry Cable- Press Association—Copyright, Received 8.30 p.m., September 20. PARIS, September 19.

Aficr luncheon at the British/Embassy, Mr Baldwin met A!. Poincare and conversed lor a couple oi hours. A communique issued says —”lho Anglo-French Premiers took advantage of Their mootings to exchange views on tho general political .situation. It, is not -io bo expected that in the course of one meeting they were able to settle anv definite solution, but were happy

to establish a common agreement on views, and discover that on no question was there any dillercnco ol purpose. or divergence oi. principle which might, impair the eo-operal ion of the two eonnu ies cm which depends so much, the settlement, and peace ol the world, ll is expected that Mr Baldwin will remain in Paris ovor-uight.’'

The French Cabinet meets to-morrow. It is authoritatively stated in London that the meeting cannot lie describ'd as a conference, but a premature talk.