STORMY WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1923, Page 3

STORMY WEATHER

SVDXKV, .Inl.v 8. A strong southerly storm, with torrcntil rain, has raged throughout >almilny night and still continues. Heavy seas aro running. A FRENCH DEBATE. STATEMENT BY M. POINCARE. (Received this d.iv at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, July 7. During a heated debate in the Chamber of Deputies concerning the Pope’s letter on reparations, Af. Poincare said however lofty the authority from which the letter emanated, that authority had n.o power to intervene in the foreign or home policy of France. On the other hand, he did not understand why advice of this kind should hurt French feelings, when it emanated from the Holy See, any more than when it emanated from France’s allies. M. fferriot “England has the right the Pope has not.’’ M. Publican*: “ft seems now that one of the Allies wishes, under various pretexts to destroy all the Versailles Treaty has given. F will only repeat that we went to Ruhr without any spirit of annexation; that we will only withdraw in proportion to the payments made by (Jerninny ; that before we enter convert lions with Germany, the latter must abandon lesistaiieo, thus giving proof of good faith. Ihe French policy has always been to leave to the Pope the whole city of God, hut to see they do not go out of it, and ■ in the twentieth century the Republic will not tear tip that tradition. Let Germany renounce criminal resistance and if she subsequently keeps her engagements. we will evacuate Ruhr proportionately. ns they are kept. France is regarded by the nations as an intruder who refuses to listen to advice from financiers who are looking l’or concessions. There is no power ill the world that will make us give up our rights derived from tile Versailles Treaty. The Chamber by .’lß.l to 180 voted confidence in the Government. NO SIGN OF REPLY. .'Received this day at M a.m.) LONDON, July 9. Lord Curzon had a eontereneo with the French, Belgian and Italian Ambassadors, and M. Poincare bad a conference with Lord Crewe. The “Daily Telegraph’’ says that there is still no sign of a written document, hut there is reason to hel.evo that, one made the journey from Paris to London within the last two or three days. GERMANY AND THE I.EAGI’E. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 7. The 'Daily ClinuiirloV’BcTlin correspendent savs that Chancellor ( lino in. formed the political leader- that he has received, through a diplomatic channel, the suggestion that Germany should express her willingness to enter the League of Nations. The correspondent adds: “I learn that tlie* initiative came from the British Government. Reprcsentaiivos ol the Coalition parties from which a Cabinet hits been formed, have expressed agreement, provided: I) That Germany’s entry should not constitute an admission of the right of the League of Nations to exercise control of the Rhineland; (2) that Germany should not he required to admit her war guilt; (.‘D that Germany should he represented on the League Council lls a meniher on an equal footing with the other Powers.”

ITALIAN VIEW. (Received this day at 8 a.m ' LONDON, July 7. ft is understood that Premier Mussolini favours the Ruhr settlement by: (1) The cessation of passive resistance hv Germany; (2) the formal undertaking hv I l 'ranee to withdraw from the ltuhr immediately the amount of the reparations is fixed. lit! IT AIN AND RFFIR. LONDON. July I). .Mr Nevolle Citamherlain, at Rirmincrhtim, said the Ruhr oenpation lind little benefited France. It. had perceptibly diminished Germany's capacity to pav the reparations. The situation could no the allowed to draft on indefinitely. Tin' issue concerned not France alone, and the time had (time for mere definite sLeps to reach a settlement, lielore there was a complete collapse of Central Europe. Mott A tilery said the ltuhr situation had heroine so serious that we were hound soon to assert our view- more definitely. GERMAN ATTITCDE. (Received this day at. PJ itoon'i. HERI.IN, July 8. Wren eli and Belgian ambassadors visited Herr ('•mm and contended that the German Government was responsible for the Duisburg alfair. I hey asked Cuno to disavow the act. ami to do his utmost to arrest the (til) -rit s. Cuno replied that the Government was not responsible. l’rool was lack nip, that the perpetrators were Germans. He would determine the course to puisne when investigations were concltul“cntto informed Racelli. the I’anal Nuncio at Mavarui that acts ol sahotii»c in Rub arose from the nneons,den .I actions of the tortured inhabitants. He added that the Government condemned the criminal use of force. FRENCH OCCTPATION B«r«SELS July S. French have occupied the outlying houses of I runkfurt.