FRANCE & REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1923, Page 2

FRANCE & REPARATIONS

GERMAN COAL

[llY TELEO U.U'JI—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

PARIS, January 9. ],e Matin's” Canlenz correspondent

rtys: “Once at E-sen, France will control the exploitation of coal, and by means of the present organisation, despatch it to Allied countries. France will also collect the coal tax in Allies' name."

The correspondent says it is estimnt oil that the consumption of coal in Germany has increased by 101 per cent since tiie war. Factories are workinA at full pressure and seven or eight fir* naces out of every ten are alight. Owing to the destruction of Fiench mines during the war the furnaces in Lorraine are stopped a s a result of the absence of German dd’verios. GERMAN DEFAULT' Ilia Tim's TKI.EOII AMS. PARTS, Jan. 9. The Reparations Commission de-y'' dared Grmaiiy’s default in respect to coal deliveries by three votes to one. Sir I!. Bradbury's was the minority vtfie. German experts first spoke declaring the German Government did not consider it imlispensihle to execute the coal deliveries according to the exncl percentage established, in view of a suggestion by the Reparations Coinmission last .March that any deficits id supplies of limber should he made tip 1 1 v cash payments. The Germans then withdrew. Sir R. Bradbury said he did not vote in favour of proclaiming default for reasons of general policy, and because he was of opinion that a problem oi secondary importance, like this decision involving grave consequences should not be taken. A GERMAN EXPLANATION*. IlKfTElt’s TEV.EORAMS. BF.RLIX, Jail. fl. A communique has been published denying the accusation of voluntary default in respect to coal, timber and paving stones deliveries. Imt admits the obligations have not been completely fulfilled. The communique attributes this partly to the fact that the demand from the very outset were expressive _ partlv from uncontrollable circumstances such as strikes, and transport difficulties due largely to French authorities alleged unwarranted conduct. The communique maintains that only preliminary negotiations have proceeded as regards deliveries of nitrates and denies the Government herein violated the peace treaty, because the Reparations Commission made no de* finite demands.

FRENCH TROOPS MOVE. BERLIN, Jan. 9

A message from German sources reports a considerable movement of French troops towards Ruhr. Thirtyeight trains were signalled from Mainz thither and entered intermediate station'. The staffs of several French regiments have arrived at Duisburg, where troops are expected to-day. Heavy artillery and sappers are reported to have arrived front the neighbourhood of Neuss', FRENCH TO ADVANCE. LONDON, Jan. l<> M. Poincairc has ordered the advance of troops at midnight on the 10th. READY TO ADVANCE. ✓ PARTS, Jan. 9. France is ready for action. General Degoulte lias moved his headquarters to Dusseldorf. lie is awaiting a sign'll to advance. It is understood that tanks will precede tlm troops, and that cavalry, ar- < tillerv and aeroplanes will la’ extensively used. Thirty-live thousand French troops are now in the occupied area, being divided into three army corps. There also are 4500 British 1 loops, and 3500 Americans there ;also 13,000 Belgians. GERMAN PRESIDENT’S PROMISE. BERLIN. Jan. 10 President Ebert has issued a proclamation, which is posted in the Ruhr towns, declaring: "The Treaty of Versailles has been broken, and force is triumphant over humanity. The population is asked to remain faithful and calm, an 1 Germany will tight for i hem until i hoy are free. Excitement in Germany is increasing. A general strike is being organised at Essen, where already a one day x strike of protest lias been proclaimed. RERUN, Jail. 9 Herr Rosenberg declares the Treaty ol Versailles does not provide for further military occupation, nor permits separate French action. • BRfTi.vH WITHDRAWAL URGED. LONDON, Jan. 10 The “Daily Express” demands that >- the British Army shall he withdrawn from the Rhine, saying that otherwise it will be drawn into the meshes of a policy which the British people consider unwise and dangerous.

AAIERTCAN SUPPORT. LONDON, Jan. 0 Mr Hoyden, the United States observer on the Reparations Commission, lias supported Sir E. Bradbury in the opinion thv.it, though Germany has not met her obligations, yet her default in coal and in wood, is not of such gravity as to warrant the heavy sanctions now being taken. Mr Hoyden j {; , s ur<r*?tl that tlio roparntioiiß prolilem should he dealt with as a whole. FRENCH CONSCRIPTS. THE HAGUE. Jan. 10. The International Court of Justice is now considering the 1 question of whether France has the right to impose conscription on British subjects in Tunisia. Air Hogg (Attorney-General) •_ has outlined the British ease. r.s. TROOPS TO RETIRE. WASHINGTON. Jan 10. Mr Hughes ha.s ordered the return of American troops from the Rhine.