FRANCE & GERMANY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1923, Page 2

FRANCE & GERMANY

[by TELEGRAPH —PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION] FRANCE IN GERMANY. LONDON, Feb. 10 Sir J. Simon, speaking at Rochdale, said he feared France bad more than mere reparations in view. Her action was dangerous because it raised not merely a French, but a world question. Nobody could tell where it would lead. Each act of violence was certain to be forerunner for another. BERLIN, Feb. 11 A French soldier was killed in the Bochum affray. The French commander ordered l lie town to surrender the assassin. FRANCE AND GERMANY. BERLIN, Feb. 9 Prince M.ax of Baden, in a speech, said: “Although Germany is no longer morally hound to respect the Versailles Treaty, she is prepared to make heavy sacrifices, if the French will evacuate the Ruhr. The estimate of Germany’s capacity to pay reparations should lie entrusted to an Arbitration Court, as the Cnited States has suggested. The decisions of such a court (lormaiiy is prepared lo respect.” The Prince added: "Forces arc at work in. England and America, with a view to intervention between Era nee and Germany.” FRENCH ADVANCE. PARIS. I'd. 1(1. The French troops advanced between the British same mid Elberfchl. fl:axco-Bel;;iax a(tion. PARIS, Ed. 10. -M. Poincare and Al. -Jasper decided frequent Conferences of French and Belgian iiiciulkt's of the Cabinet were necessary. M. Poincare visited Brussels oil Monday. A Francii-Belgiiin Note informs Germany as M .Cuim's visit to the Ruhr provoked dangerous excitement. German Ministers would no longer lie allowed to enter Ruhr. M. Jasper announced Belgium was increasing its efforts to expedite the railway service. Further rnilwavnien were going to Ruhr.

ANNEXATION FEARED. THE GERMAN PLANS. LONDON. Feb. 7. The "Morning Post's” Berlin correspondent says:—l have attended a meeting of eminent personalities who are participating in an anti-French struggle. 1 was impressed by tlie unanimity of opinion. If prolonged resistance means national suicide, that is preferred to capitulation. All believed that France did nor intend ever to leave the Ruhr, and also that, while resistance would not provoke a French withdrawal, obstruction and sabotage would barm France as much as it would Germany. All the speakers declared that tlic solidarity of all Germany was such that France would not got further with her plan lor forcing the delivery of coal «itbout mobilis - ing the French it nn emphasised that Freni-li Labour shows indications of unrest, thus making it tinwise for Franee to withdraw more of her standing army from France. The most prominent coal owners, when interviewed, were asked how the owners intended to keep the miners employed if coal were not delivered to the consumers. They declared that full wages would lie paid, irrespective oi the period of the occupation. Asked what would be done with the coal they replied: "We will continue to stack, and lo Imild new stacks, risking spontaneous combustion.” They said : "Credits for an infinitely long period of resistance have already been found, partly from tho Reicli.sbank, and partly from elsewhere. Wo can keep stacking the coal, which, with our factories and securities behind bills of exchange. will lie discounted to provide tlic liquid capital necessary.” Herr Sti'csseniann, Leader of the People’s Party, unrestrainedly anathematised America's declaration that European affairs are outside her province. "llad not ive laid down arms in the sincere belief of Mr Lansing’s signature to President Wilson’s four-teen-point peace telegram, the French troops would not now l>e in the Ruhr. France did not conic to the Ruhr to collect reparations. The dciault of I t per (i.-nr on deliveries wn., insufficient to |irovukc the dispatch of an army of 25(Ui!ii). France came to the Ruhr to m-L-.c Ihe armoury of Europe, and to secure domination on the Continent for ev-r. She intends to arm for a new military autoeraey. She has no intention.- of ever leaving Germany.”