FRANCE & REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1923, Page 3

FRANCE & REPARATIONS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CADLE ASSOCIATION. FRENCH ATTITUDE. (Received tin's dnv at 10 a.in.) PARTS, March 3. The War Office confirms the- French occupation of eight towns, including Troisdorf, Wupperfurth, Romsceid, Grnfrath. The British zone is completely cut olf from unoccupied Germany. The press regards (Juno’s speech as nothing unexpected. The “Petit Parisicn” 1 says it is as vain as it is belated. Others consider the chief feature is the indication that Germany while protesting against pressure, seeks foreign intervention as a prelude to pourparlers which will lead to relief from the present restraint, but ask upon what country Curio is founding his hope of inti rveution. The “Echo do Paris” invites France to prepare pourparlers. France must remain irrevocably fixed in dcLer- . ruination to effect reparations by the %> occupation of Ruhr. When that policy is established France will not refuse to consider legitimate intervention advanced by Downing Street. FRANCE’S ARMY. Received this dnv at n. 30 a m.'t PARIS, March 7. France will soon have nearly a million under arms. Cabinet's decision regarding the 1021 class means the addition of over two hundred thousand to the existing army of 730,201 will lie larger than the combined armies of Britain, Germany, Italy and Belgium. Germany lias one hundred thousand,— Germany has 100,000, Belgium 110,000, Britain 221,000, Italy 210.000.