GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PAYMENT TO TJ.S.A. PARIS, May 2b. The controversy over the United States’s demand for tho payment of one milliard of marks on account of tho cost of the American Army of Occupation has been settled by an agreement between the British, trench, Italian and American Governments, which provides for the sum being made payable in 12 equal instalments. Tho first is tine on December 31. tor the first four years, the current cost of the Allied Army of Occupation is to have priority over the instalments due to the United States. After that, the instalments due to the United States constitute the first charge upon all tiie cash payments by Germany on account of the reparations. The United States are to have the right to abrogate this agreement if, at any time, there is a prospect of the full payment being jeopardised within the period, unless satisfactory assurances are given. GERMAN PAYMENTS. LONDON, May 26.

A British Treasury statement shows that Germany, for tho financial year ended March 31, had paid Britain £7,476,000 for reparations, including £1,700,000 for the maintenance of tho British Army of occupation in Germany. GERMAN REVOLUTION. LONDON. May 25. The recent disorder in the Ruhr has been causing alarm both at Paris and Berlin. It is feared that there is an imminent danger of is swiftly spreading. Though Gelsenkirchen is momentarily quiet, the spirit of plunder and destruction has been let loose. The strike at Dortmund is spreading, while there are sporadic in other towns that are more frequent, showing that the torch is steadily creeping nearer the powder. PARIS, May 25. Tho “Timos’s” correspondent says: “French observers issue a warning that if tho Ruhr deadlock lasts much longer, there will he grave disorders.” The Quai d’Osnay has admitted that the fall of the mark has increased the price of foodstuffs causing restiveness in the Ruhr, and the inhabitants tiro finding it hard to live. The “Times’s” Berlin correspondent states: “The Ruhr rioting is regarded as a warning linger as to the state of the internal conditions in Germany generally. “There were food riots in the wo; Ring suburbs of Berlin to-day. Hie f.o'.ie there were largely reinforced. “The Communist leaders threaten to take a hand if the situation at Berlin develops.”

UNDER COMMUNIST RULE. LONDON. May 26. Following upon the riots instigated by the Communists against food prices the town of Gelsenkirchen is now under Communist rule, working through four Trade Unions. At a meeting of the Unions, the first stage was to form a. new police force, in which the Unions are represented. A committee of action has been constituted, consisting of one represntative for each Union, and known as “the Big Four.” They have seized the principal control, and have issued an order forbidding demonstrations, or the looting of shops. They decreed prohibition, of even light beer and wines. The Buromaster is powerless to prevent these innovations. Already some ol the food prices have been fixed, and the population will henceforth lie rationed, to prevent hoarding. The Communists’ leader says that Gelsenkirchen will he run on Communist lines, and this is only the first step. He pointed out. with satisfaction, that, the Government President of the district had consented to the Burgomaster agreeing to these terms, and also that the new police will he paid by the Statu and not by the town. The municipal authorities are allowed to carry out their duties, but all power rests with the Big Fojur.

COMMUNISTS IN ESSEX. LONDON, May 26. Advices from Paris state that a Dusseldorf message reports that tho Communists outbreak has now spread to Essen where tho crowds have pillaged tho shops.