RUHR AND REPARA TIONS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 24 July 1923, Page 8

RUHR AND REPARA TIONS

FRENCH PROGRAMME DEFENDED. REPLY TO CRITICISM. I IKB I‘BESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT PARIS, July 22. M. Poincare unveiling the War Monument at Villers Corterets, replied to Mr Lloyd George’s recent criticism in the House of Commons of the French programme. M. Poincare referred to the Germans’ systematic obstruction of the French efforts to repair the ravages, and said: "Tills is a moment chosen by eminent statesmen and a former Prime Minister oi an Allied country to seek to create a mischievous comparison between France and Germany, and to characterise as amusing, the fact that while France is spending so much money repairing the devastated regions, she was complaining of extravagant expenditure by the Berlin Government. Ail this might bo very amusing for Mr Lloyd George, it is saddening and intolerable for France.’’ M. Poincare said he wished all the Allies had gone to the Ruhr witli France. They would have understood better the real danger of to-morrow. He drew- a graphic picture of the tremendous industrial organisation the Germans had built up in the Ruhr. This organisation was substituting itself more and more for the State: it was enveloping, dominating, and annihilating ; it was master of the Press and Government; it subjected the German Republic to domination more powerful than that of the Junkers. Against this danger, England, Belgium, Italy and France must unite. It would not be difficult to supply fho Allied Governments with a basis for instructive comparisons and a grounds for equitable decision. It would be sufficient for them to visit the Aisne Department and then visit the Ruhr. It would not demand the aid of financial experts to enable them to make comparisons. M. Poincare did not refer to the British Note.

REPLY TO BRITISH NOTE. Paris, July 23. It is expected that MM. Poincare and Theunis will meet at the end of the week and an effort be made to answer the British Note before August 3rd.