GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. - A SMUGGLING SCANDAL. LONDON, May 4. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Bonn correspondent states that a remarkable smuggling scandal has been discovered at Henrief, an important frontier control post. Hundreds of trains carrying thousands of tons of merchandise have been smuggled into unoccupied Gemany. A party of French soldiers were bribed to such an extent that they are now multi-millionaires in mams. The trains consisted for the most part or 50 to 60 trucks laden to full capacity. They were sent through at night when one of the party of thieves was on duty. It is believed that tho thieves earned over a marks per train, and over a hundred trains passed through the gap with 40,000 tons of manufactured goods, A German betrayed the scheme, and a French surprise party came to Henrief on Wednesday night and surrounded the control post when the thieves happened to he negotiating the passage of a train of 64 trucks. The personnel of the train staff were arrested, the train was seized, and the party of thieves disarmed. Their ill-gotten wealth was confiscated, and they were then taken to prison at Bonn, where they were court martialled. No doubt similar smuggling has been going on at other centres along the Customs frontier.

COURT-MARTIAL OF KRUPP DIRECTORS. LONDON, May 1. Advices from Berlin state that the court-martial of the Krupp directors has opened. When accused entered, the spectators rose and saluted them. Herr Krupp is cliargd with inciting the workers to not on March 31 when a French detachment becoming surrounded, fired upon the workers. There are also other charges against the accused of resisting French military orders. Counsel for the prosecution was frequently interrupted by the German counsel, who objected to the prosecutor making a political speech. The latter said the crime they were called upon to .investigate was in many respects political.

The President of the court-martial ordered the German counsel to respect the court by remaining silent until Ins time came to speak. LORD CUItZON. LONDON, May 4. Lord Cumin, addressing tlic ' Primrose League demonstration, referring to the Franco-German situation, said they could not expect swift, sudden solutions of situations so complicated. Each move, however imperceptible, was a. step in advance. He declined to regard the situation ill a spirit of despondency, and despair. The Government was in closo communication with the Fra neo-Belgians and other allies. If Germany was confronted with the views, actions and decisions of all the principal Powers, the chances of success would bo greatly increased. We were trying at Lausanne to make a Turkish peace. Wo did not desire to continue fighting them, hut rather to live 011 friendly terms with them. He was very hopeful of success. Tt was not to tiie interest of any party to renew the fighting. That would be a folly and a disgrace. Referring to the threats of Communism and revolution in England, ho said dislike of Communist methods was shared in England as much as in Switzerland and Italy, and the day was far distant when this country would have recourse to such a form of government. He was looking forward with great hopes to tho Imperial Conference.

FRANCE REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE. . LONDON, May. 5. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent points out that Franco with Belgium proposes to answer the German Note independently of Britain, ami without consulting the British Government regarding our views. In these circumstances, he says, one is tempted to wonder what becomes of the Treaty principles of collective action and inter-Allied solidarity. Had France and Belgium reserved to themselves the exclusive right to reply to that portion of the Note relating io the occupation of the Ruhr, such attitude might bo understood, but the proposed French extension of separate independent action to the common domain of reparations is another matter which is bound to occasion some . surprise. There is some feeling here that Curzon’s reference to the need of concerted action must have been deliberate.