FRANCE & GERMANY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1923, Page 2

FRANCE & GERMANY

[BT TELEGKAPH —PEfl PItESS ASSOCIATION]

THE BRITISH FEELING. LONDON, Feb IG. Tlio “Daily Telegraph” says:—The Germans have been testing various channels in London for some time sounding the possibilities of Brit">h mediation. Tlio results show kinds of British circles insist that not a finger shall be lifted in the direction of mediation until Germany begins to use her fingers and grip her industrialists by the neck and gives an assur- "■ mice that the necessary guarantees will he rtialyl forthcoming from the magnates. "

Berlin is fully aware of his state of mind, and there may he developments in a few days if Herr Cuno icels strong enough to force the genuine guarantees from the German capitalists. The Anglo-French conference lias adjourned. It is understood the 1 1 elicit strongly urged the need ol AngloFrench unity. The- “Central News Agency” states the German Government lias intimated it raised no objections to tlio British permitting the French to make uso of the railway lines as it recognises the __ delicate: position in which the Biitish Government is placed.

ACTION DEPLORED. LONDON, Feb IG. In the Commons, Mr Bentinek said the country deplored France’s action, which had destroyed all hope of reparation for herself and ourselves, and all hopes for France’s security.

FRENCH DOM INATION. ESSEN, February IG.. Tlie atmosphere along the Rhine L- ' now an exceedingly dense one. Iho French activity is increasing in the Ruhr. The commandeering ol motorcars continues. More French Customs officers have been appointed for the eastern frontier ol the Ruhr. The shops, hotels, restaurants and hanks of Essen closed from 11.30 a.m. till 3 p.m. as a protest agains the arrest of the Burgomaster, whose trial is to-morrow. This strike, however, merely caused great inconvenience to g the Germans. Numerous groups of people were disconsolately making a round of the restaurants in a vain search for food, while the French troops simply marched to the restaurants, posted sentries, fixed bayonets and lunched with the hungry Germans peeping in at the doors. LONDON, February IG. According to a Dusseldorf telegram, the Chief Burgomaster of Oberhauseitv has been sentenced to three years’ prisonment, taking effect immediately. This is the first case wherein a high official has actually been sent to gaol by court-martial. The same court fined Dussman. Director of the RhenishWestpluilian’ Electrical Company, five million marks.

Ail Essen telegram states that eight French and two Belgian soldiers entered a restaurant and ordered drinks, which were refused. A German police- | man and a civilian entered. Tlie I former then fired sevral shots with a t revolver, killing one and wounding two Frenchmen. Other German police then appeared and more shots were exchanged. One policeman was wounded. The French later on occupied the pol barracks and arrested the chief and six of the men. They also disarmed eighty policemen. PARIS, February 16. The situation is strained. Troops with machine-guns are promenading the streets of Dusseldorf. Latest reports state that the sabotage continues throughout the occupied area. The telephone and telegraph wires have again been cut. A French sentry shot dead a German who was ill the act of removing a railway signal light. BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE. PARIS, February 17. Tlie reports of the London conference are considered satisfactory so far. They give the impression that the British Cabinet has done its best* to meet the French requirements. Nevertheless it is realised that, so long as the Germans are responsible for the regular working of the railways in the British zone, difficulties are bound to occur. OPPOSITION TO FRENCH. PARIS February 16. The “Petit Parisien” says there is a growing tendency to consider the British zone as a kind of neutral territory. There is little doubt 1 that a British withdrawal would affect the Germans more than it would the French. M. Gustave Herve, writing in “La “Yictoire” says: “It is almost heartbreaking to witness Britain breaking tile Anglo-French Alliance, and creating a new atmosphere fo hostility, which prevailed for some many centuries. “L’Oeuvre” is of opinion that the French demands are simply throwing Britain into a radical solution, namely, a withdrawal of her troops. PARIS, February 10. “Le Petit Parisien” basing its remarks on General Godley’s report, opposing the Franeo-Belgian control of the railways into the British zone on the Rhine, prophesies that Britain rather than consent to such control, will withdraw her troops from the Rhine.