GERMAN CONTROL OF RUHR INDUSTRIES ALARMING TO FRANCE

Grey River Argus, 13 November 1948, Page 5

GERMAN CONTROL OF RUHR INDUSTRIES ALARMING TO FRANCE

Anglo—-U.S. Move Raises Storm of Protest PARIS, Nov. 11 The Anglo-American plan to give Germans control of Ruhr uidu<>u.y has provoked in France such a storm oi protest in official circles that the Government may consider its position on the six-Power recommendations on Germany drawn up in London last year. Speaking at the Armistice Day ceremony, President Auriol said it would be unforgivable to let the Ruhr tall into the hands of Hitler’s accomplices. President Auriol’s statement is regarded as an indication of the strength of the French objection, because it is most unusual for the head of the State to make a pronouncement on foreign policy. The French opposition to the plans for returning the industries to the Germans is supported by the French papers, which bitterly attack London and Washington for presenting ‘an accomplished fact” without considering French susceptibilities. BRITISH STATEMENT

A British Foreign Office spokesman said the British Government received a Note from the French Government about the announcement of the handing over of the steel and coal industries of the Ruhr to German trustees. The spokesman said: “We are a little surprised by some press reports suggesting that the announcement came as a surprise to the French Government. We received a Note from France on October 30 and replied on November 4 that we were unable to alter our decision.” 'french stand for INTERNATIONAL CONTROL 1 M. Herve Alphanv, French delegate to the Six Power conference on Ruhr industries has made a new French protest against the Anglo-American decision to return the provisional ownership of Ruhr industry to Germany, when the Six Power conference discussed control of Ruhr coal and steel industries. France maintained its advocacy of international control. The British and American delegations asked for time to study the protest before replying. Ten Million in West German Strike LONDON, Nov. 11 Germany’s greatest strike since before the war starts at midnight tonight for 24 hours in the British and American zones, as a protest against me high cost ot living. German bizonal trade unions called the stoppage, which is expected to affect 10,000,000 workers in factories, coal mines, steel mills, and offices. Essential services, such as railways and hospitals, will not be affected. A Military Government spokesman said the Government was not making an effort to prevent the strike, because it was considered it was an internal problem to be settled by German decision without Allied interference. The spokesman said, the strike would represent the loss of about £15,000,000. The coal loss alone would be 300,000 tons.