FRANCE AND GERMANY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15159, 7 February 1923, Page 5

FRANCE AND GERMANY.

TIGHTENING THE CORDON.

PROHIBITION OF EXPORTS.

FRENCH IN BRITISH ZONE.

{Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 5. Advices from Essen stat’e that the complete occupation is ponding of Vohwinkcl, Baumberg, and Solingen, where customs posts will be established by the French. Exportation from the Ruhr region of salammoniac, benzol, and.other coal by-products are being stopped.

Beghorn, in the British zone, has been occupied with British consent by the French in pursuance of the policy of tightening control. x • Reuter’s correspondent states that the attitude of the German miners continues uncertain except as regards their emphatic objection to th(T presence of troops ,at the mines. The miners’ organisation a fortnight ago obtained a 77 per cent increase in wages, and. now it is demanding a further addition on the ground of the enorpious rise iti the cost of living. Herr Weathelle, one of Herr Hugo Stinnes’ colleagues, has been arrested and expelled.

« BRITAIN’S ALTERNATIVE.

STRONG FINANCIAL CONTROL,

LONDON, February 5

Sir P. Lloyd Graeme, President of the Board of Trade, in a speech at Stoke-on-Trent, said that the Government’s first consideration regarding the Ruhr situation was to secure a .final settlement. If Germany was to pay even interest on her debts, it was essential that her credit should be restored. Secondly, there should be a moratorium and stabilisation of the m,ark. There was nothing farther 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 a trade revival, which was so necessary to Germany. The British proposal was to create in Germany a strong financial commission, which would dictate to Germany 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, Sir P. Lloyd Grcarne said that the only hope was that ils effects might be localised and mutual relations between Britain and France affected to the smallest possible extent.