FRANCE & REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1923, Page 2

FRANCE & REPARATIONS

TALK OF MARCH TO BERLIN. LONDON, Jan. 17

A prominent memlxjr of the French mission told the •'Time’s” Dnsseldorf cnrrespoiulent "there is nothing we are not prepared to do to oblige the tndustrialists to ahamlon their present attitude; we will even go to Berlin if necessary.” MOVK TO OBTAIN COAL. PAULS, Jan. IS * Six of the principal coal owners, who | were given an order for a requisition • yesterday, have been summoned before j a courtmartial. but have not been arrested. Others are being also summoned. LONDON, .hin. 17. A French comuisision has arrived at Port Kmden to control the export of coal from the Ruhr. The "Daily .Mail’s” Dnsseldorf corresomlent states that the French have completed plans for dealing with any situation that may arise. The belief prevails throughout the Ruhr that an advance is likely on Munster. It is rumoured that the forces of the Reichswelir there may attempt armed opposition. The madness of such an enterprise i> apparent to anyone who watched the march of the perfectly-equipped French Army, with 7b‘s, howitzers, machine guns, armoured cars, and tanks, following closely the cavalry and infantrv regiments.

PARIS, Jan. 17. The Reich Commissary for C’oal him unexpectedly arrived at F.sscn. He has had a long conference with the delegates of the Reparations Commission. The result of the interview is not yet known. FUTURE POLICY INDICATED. PARIS. Jan. 17. Reuter’s Dnsseldorf correspondent says:- A French official statement declares that the military operations have now concluded. In future the sanctions will he economic, and not military. The French now control and regulate the coal traffic. The Hermans to-day offered to make deliveries of eoal to Italy, and the latter, acting in conjunction with France and Rolgiiiin declined. In consequence the Hermans are not complying with the order to resume the deliveries. The French are rquisitioiiiiig coal and are proceeding to take measures against individual industries. The mines are working normally. There is no indication of trouble. There are reports that the Herman magnates, in expectation of arrest, are frantically sending jewels and securities to Ilerlin.

MR LI.OYD GEORGE. 1 LONDON. January 17. " Mr Lloyd George’s article for Saturday next traverses France’s latest action against Germany. THE REAL STRUGGLE. LONDON. Jan 17. • ' The “Daily Chronicle’s” He lm corespondent says:—“Yhe Herman Government and people ere o iw pivpariing the nation for a grim struggle of endurance against the French in the Ruhr. PARIS. Jan 17. | Reuter’s Dnsseldorf correspondent i stales:—“lt is learned from a good

| source that owing to the occupation of the Ruhr. Hugo Stinucs, the Herman ’ industrial magnate, has cancel led con- . tracts for iron ore with Canadian companies. Consequently 2200 workers in Newfoundland are likely to be idled. Hugo Stiiines Company has removed its headquarters frill Mulheim to Hamburg. i LONDON. Jan 17. MY Rcnwick. the “Daily Chronicle” represent:! ti vo in Dnsseldorf. says:— > “The situation is critical in the extreme. The real struggle is now beginning. There is a grim seriousness mi both i'dis. The industrial chiefs ! have declared economic war. The j whole Ruhr is waiting in a state ol ; tense ext iremeiit for the next French move. j The unity among workers is great, j It is as great in the ranks u! the eill- ' plovers. The Christian'Trade Union of Miners .the second largest Union in Germany announces:—“Wo had enough experience of a military regime during the war. and are not going to stand it in peace time.” The other trade unions have intimated they will stand firm against the French orders. The correspondent adds:- Ilk del -

gates at the Conference were axioms itd at the gaueherie of the French Generals. who bluntly refused fo allow the Germans to say a single word. The comments of the trade union delegates as ihov left the eon loro nee were most angry. It is announced that if an attempt is made to seize coal, the railway workers will immediately strike. PARTS. Jan 17.

Various outbreaks between Nationalists and Communists at Dortmund ar reported to-<lay. The Fr.meli do mi intend to interfere, unless they ate attacked. GERMAN MOVE. (Received this dav at e a.m.) BERLIN, Jan. lv _ Government is introducing a bid similar to the Defence of the Realm Act. BERLIN. Jan. IS. Although the reparations deliveries m France and Belgium have ceased, it js stated t l ev will continue to he made m Britain. li.-lv. Jugoslavia and I'nlc.ml. FRF NCI I IN'I E.VITOXS. tl! reived this uav at S a.m 1 C VillS. Jan. ]'. Orders have been given for the immediate exploitation of the State forests on the left hank of the Rhine, as a sanction for default of timber deliveries. RETCH ST AO ACTION, ißeceived this dav at 9.T0 a. nd HER UN, Jan 19. Tho Reichstag voted in favour of giving Herr Cuno dictatorial powers. Socialists and Communists opposed it. and as the majority was insufficient, the vote will lie repeated to-dav. when it is expected tho motion will he carried.

Government have instructed mine owners not to give the French coal with or without payment. Disobedience will be punished by a year’s imprisonment. The Mine Owners wrote the French repeating that they are unable to supply coal. The “Local Anzoiger’s” Essen correspondent states further sanctions will be imposed to-day. including the requisition of Ruhr mines. Empty coal trucks ami barge- will be strictly eontrolled. A WARNING WASHINGTON. January 18. It is understood that the German Government lias informed the French that- if they penetrate into towns where active groups of the Landwehr are assembled, there will be danger of conflicts though this is in no manner Countenanced by the Oerm.ui Re. yernmenf.

FRENCH COMMUNISTS. (Received this day at 9.30 a.in.) PARIS. Jan 18. The newspapers publish a Berlin despatch stating Germany intends to address the signatories of Versailles Treaty .drawing attention to the fact that the French Army of Occupation crossed the neutral zone. The fifty kilometres provided hv the Treaty is in close proximity to the German garrison at Munster. The “Echo de Paris” 'Mayence correspoidem states a detachment of Reichswer which garrisoned Munster, left the town hurriedly :ind4*spit>vef[ nli headquarters’ records, fearing the arrival of Franco-Belgian troops.