NEW FRENCH NOTE.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, 24 August 1923, Page 5

NEW FRENCH NOTE.

WILL TAKE BONDS. JUSTIFIES ACTION IN THE RUHR (A. and N.Z. Cable). ' PARIS, Aug. 22. A French note which has been issued asks the Allies to credit France with twenty-six milliard of gold marks in A and B bonds and also credit her with C bonds to the amount that will he sufficnent under the head of the Allied debts. •She declares the Ruhr occupation fully justified by the Treaty and the Allies’ declarations, notably the Spa protocol of July, 1920.

France claims the cessation of passive resistance an essential condition and a precedent to further conversations on the occupation. Once passive resistance •'cases the occupation will be modified definitely and suggests that ’f r sistanee ceases, France will undertake to guarantee the progressive evacuation of the Ruhr in proportion as Germany makes payments which must he under conditions altogether different from those now obtaining. France does not intend remaining in the Ruhr longer than is necessary and she has no aims.of a political or an annexationist character. She recognises her debts but is forced to declares that she can only pay after she has received what is due from Germany. France, also, in addition to the 26 milliard gold marks, will now claim the amount the Allies claim from her thus the less the Allies claim from her the smaller will he the amount Germany will have to pay. This method will not necessitate the revision of the Treaty whereas the British suggestions if carried into effect would destroy several clauses. France considers it ought to be easy to come to an understanding for the earliest possible .settlement of that part of the German debt corresponding with the cost of reconstruction of the devastated regions leaving for later consideration the second part and also the question of war debts.