GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

ui.iimr.i': lII.IIIVJ &USTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE RUHR PROBLEM. NEW REPARATIONS PROPOSAL. (■001) OFFICES OF BRITAIN. VANCOUVER. April 20. It is learned on. high authority in Washington, that a settlement tf tie Riilir crisis between France and Germany is in sight. According to diplomatic advices teaching Washington direct, a definite reparations proposal from Germany is expected within a month, previous negotiations ensuring it will he regarded as acceptable by France. The correspondent asserts that the United States is likely to play an indirect part tis an International Comw mission, snob as Mr Hughes has suggested. forms a part of the new move. It is understood the situation is farourablo to an agreement being made possible through the informal good offices of Britain. THE FRENCH OCCUPATION. GERMAN WORKERS’ PROTEST. DO NOT WANT MONARCHY. WASHINGTON. April IT Senator Borah has received a letter from Mr Knoll, scretnry of the (fenera! Federation of Trade Unions ill Germany, avowedly representing six million workers, protesting against the French occupation of the Ruhr which hi' declares is an annexationist action and a violation of the rights of the German nation. Tho letter adds that the workers of Germany will prevent the re-establish-ment of a monarchy with their life blood and they believe, above all. ill Mr Wilson’s doctrine of self-determina-tion. LORD CTR/O.VS ADMISSION. y LONDON, April 21. Lord Cur/.on’s speech on the Ruhr just made ill the House of Lords, is being given prominence in the English press especially a passage in which lie spoke of the British Government’s consistent advice to Germany to make an offer and to declare her willingness and intention to pay. and to have the payment lixed by the authorities charged with that duty, and also to offer specific guarantees of continued payments. France, he said, had more than once indicated her willingess to accept such overtures. British help would he forthcoming to both parties. He add/* 1 "" ed : “It is of general interest that such overtures should be made. We must come to it. sooner or later—the sooner the better.” Lord Curaon said lie thought that he detected symptoms oil both sides, if not of drawing together, at least of a willingness to consider and even to discuss the terms of a future settlement. A FRENCH COMPROMISE. PARIS, April 2(1. It is reported that M. Barthou lias drafted a scheme by which France and Belgium propose to approach tho reparations, not merely from the financial aspect, lint by co-operating with ~ Germany on an economic basis, in making an nppnrtionient of coke and iron between the three Powers concerned. to enable each to carry oil its industries oil an equitable basis. This proposition, combined with a specie payment of thirty-six millurds of gold marks, v.ould satisfy the Franco-Bel-gian demands. The newspapers, however, speculate how Britain and Italy are likely to view the suggestion. “J.o Journal” * emphasises the need for making these countries understand that France and Belgium are not seeking to create an industrial combine; hut merely a readjustment of production. UNEMPLOYED REBELLIOUS. LONDON, April 21. The Ruhr unemployed are becoming increasingly restive. They are tlireate'ning to paralyse life in the towns unless either work or increased doles are provided. Evidence is accumulating that the agitation is being inspired by the Communists, who are encouraging disorder.

Disturbances in Afulheim have been renewed. Three thousand of the unemployed there have barricaded themselves in the centre of the town, with overturned carts and heaps of bricks, and they have stopped traffic. The ' men are all armed w ith clubs and weapons plundered from gunsmiths’ shops. The gunsmiths succeeded in destroying the ammunition before the rioters attacked. The Alayor has remained in the Town Hall there, and is guarded by a picked armed force, which has fired when the crowd has become threat ening. The Red "Cross estimate that live were killed and fifty injured thore-

The unemployed declared that they intend to remain in possession of tho Town Hall till their demands an* conceded.

At Essen tho workmen are now also restless, and are demanding increased pav. A crowd besieged the Town Hall. When they were told that nothing could he done, they left threatening armed intervention. In the town forces are preparing measures against a disturbance. FRENCH ADVANCE. PAULS, April 20. The French have occupied railway stations at Bailouts. Nassau and Dietz, without incident. The Germans, as a. reprisal, have cut the telephone wires to Coblenz. THE FALL OF THE AIARK. BERLIN. April 20. The Government considered the sensational tall in the mark and decided on a. continiiace ol the Uoichsbank’s support, and also the compulsory registartiou of all foreign current ies and limitation of exports.