FRANCE & REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1923, Page 3

FRANCE & REPARATIONS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. FRENCH REPRESSION. (Received this dnv at IT.OO a.m ) LONDON, March 14. No one in Bucr is allowed out after seven. All lights must be extinguished by ten. The French closed the liner Grammar School and accused the teachers of teaching deceit, lies, hate and revenge. They said the teachers ought, to bo shot. An officer struck one teacher with a riding whip. The "Daily Express” Paris correspondent states the new liberty given French troops in dealing with threatening demonstrations is interpreted here as authority to shoot at sight, justified oil the principle that the army of occupation has the right to defend its lives. BELGIAN VIEW. ißocoived this dnv at. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. March LI. The “Daily Express” Brussels correspondent states a high official in the Foreign Office to-day made the statement that Belgium was faithful both to France and Britain and certainly would not negotiate with Germany unless both Britain and Italy were present. \te are in Ruhr because the occupation is popular in Belgium, in order to give Germany a taste of what we experienced. We hope Germany will eventually pay. Though in c-.mptete agreement with France regarding the roptession of sabotage and assassinations we told M. Poincare we cannot send reinforcements.

THE “TIMES” VIFAYS. [“The Times” Service.] Received this dnv at 1 1.30 a m.) LONDON, March 15. The “Times” in a leader, emphasising the seriousness of the situation in Ruhr, draws attention to Bi'tish interests directly affected. The British force in Cologne is in an equivocal situation. British' trade on th - Rhine i« almost paralysed and a nn niont is rapidly approaching when England will lie called on to play her part and claim a* share in the solution o) the problems in Ruhr. Tl. is not a question of intervention in the Frimec-Germait struggle, which would bo futile, but it urges Government lo abandon its hesitant passivity and lay down too main lines of policy England must follow in the new phase of the history of Europe, in the maintenance and assurance of peace in which the British Empire has great fundamental interests. The lender asks how can Britain rest eontent. The troops on guUrd in Cologne are- relics of the Treaty of "Versailles, while the face of Europe is being transformed.

SIR R. HORNE’S VIEWS. LONDON. March It. Sir Robert. Home addressing bis Constituonts said Franco’s action in the Ruhr specially concerned Clyde as it bad completely checked the carrying out of Scottish contracts for the supply of raw materials to Ruhr. Me was not in favour ol Germany, and had every prejudice in favour of France who only desired to set' the colour (.1 ■Germany's money. Apparently tin* bulk of the French people were undecided whether they wanted Germany strong enough to pay them or too weak too fight them. He agreed that Germans exported capital, though he believed the amount was exaggerated. The only way to keep capital in Germany was to make Germany fit for capital to live in. If the Allies wanted paying, they must ultimately give German v the hope of making a new start. LONDON, March 14. Government have made representations to France in regard to the difticulties in Rhineland. The French Government were most sympathetic ami * have given assurances that stops will be taken to eliminate the obtsacles as far as possible.