GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A FRENCH VIEW. PARIS, August 5. "I.e Temps” says that the- policy indicated by Mr Baldwin's speech does not seem to enhance the Britisft Cabinet’s prestige. In a few days the Cabinet is going to consider the position again. The initiative does not rest with France and Belgium and now it is for England to reply to tiro French and Belgian notes. BOMB OUTRAGE. LONDON, August 5. A telegram from ' Dusseldorf states that during the changing of the guards at Dusseldorf a bomb was thrown, wounding three soldiers and six German civilians.

A German student, named Raabe and author of the outrage was arrested. Several other arrests, including the chief of Police, have been made.

THE FRENCH REPLY. PARIS. August 4. The text of the French reply to Britain says: The French Government still thinks the German proposals do not in the slightest degree show a desire on the part of Germany to submit to the execution of the Peace Treaty. 1 A\ e feel bound to recall a principle known tu iho British Government since the commencement ot our occupation, namely, France and Belgium can only evacuate the Ruhr pari passu with the payments effected by Germany. After four years of waiting, of attempts of all sorts, of ultimatums not followed by effects; of conferences proposed liv the British Government, tho conclusions of which were not carried out, and <>f Hiucosjdvc* moratoriums granted to Germany,, the French and Belgian Governments have arrived at the conclusion that the only procedure, to which Germany resorted in 1871. should henceforth be applied. We shall only abandon th e pledge we hold jrn gressively, and pari passatt as wo are j);,id. As for the passive resistance, if Germany completely ceased it, we would modify our occupation compatible with the security cf our troops and with the preservation of the pledge in our hands. We have too much confidence in the friendship of Britain to suppose it could over think of demanding from us a. contradiction of our public declarations on a point which would lie out humiliation and tno exultation of the spit it of revenge in Germany. We know quite well the exploitation of the Ruhr will not produce alone the necessary sums for reparations. What we aimed at was to create in Germany a. will to pay. It was to obtain what had not been, obtained ter four years, recognition by Germany tor our obligations, not theoretically, hut practicalli. Germany’s passive resistance is only a development in an acute form ot her four years’ resistance to the treaty. We are convinced that if the British Government simply told the Reich it disapproves oi the policy which is ruining Germany and has threatened to ruin Europe, everything would immediately return to ,'order. Germany has followed the maddest financial policies, disdaining ali the principles of political economy consecrated by experience. Her present ruin is not the work of the occupation of the Ruhr; it is the work of the Reich itself. Passive resistance is. as the British Government, recognises, the principal obstacle to tno restoration of a normal situation. Fiance and Belgium will not enter conversations with Germany until the resistance ceases. To go hack upon bitch a declaration would show the Germans there would be something to he gained by opposing the will of the Allies.”

“In regard to Germany’s capacity to pay, under the treaty, the llepatalions Commission, having fixed the schedules cf 1921, is called upon to study from time to time the Germans resources and capacity. It has complete power to extend the period, or it can modify the methods ot paimeut. Thus, according to its constitution, the Commission lias constantly a watchful eye upon Germany's financial and economic situation.

GERMA NS SENTENCED

BRUSSELS. Aug. (i. After reference to an appeal tribunal. the murderers of Lieut Graff, on January 2S, three of the Germans, Reinhardt/., Klein, and Riot.site were condemned u> death. Termseleti and. Gralicrt gut 20 years’ imprisonment. Three others were sentenced to from three to Id years. GENERAL NOTES. LONDON. Aug. d. The "Daily Telegraph's” Berlin correspondent says that to the Germans, who eagerly expected Mr Baldwin would dramatically announce the end of the Entente, his statement in the House of Commons comes as a cold douche. BELGIAN NOTE. Bit I'SSKI.S. Aug. 1. The text of the Belgian Note states: "If it i- necessary to consider Germany’s capacity to pay, it is necessary that the Allied countries which have suffered, shall receive corresponding relief, which can only he found in a cancelling of the Allied debts, or priority to the devastated areas. The Belgian Government would be happy to discuss, at an inter-Allied Conference, a genera! and definite financial settlement of reparations. Belgium sees no reason whv the Reparations Commission should not receive the assistance of competent experts. The measures against Germany now being eulorcod will be abandoned as soon as Germany gives up the struggle. Belgium aflaches importance to the control and restoration of German finaiiees, and lavouis a common Allied reply to Germany.” KRUPIS CHANGES HANDS. LONDON. Aug. G. Tlie Labour paper, toe "Daily Her- j aid,” declares that a controlling share | in the Krupps Works has been bought by an Angio-FreiK-b combine, beaded by M. Lauehciir. the French industrial magnate and politician; M. Wemlel. a leading Lorraine ironmaster; and Mr Leslie Urquhart, of the Russian-Asia-tie Consolidated.

The “Daily Herald" also states that, behind the scenes of the Ruhr occupation, sale negotiations have been proceeding for some time. The first negotiations were with the Schneidert’reuso group, but these broke down, because the Schneider firm drove too hard a bargain. The Krttpp family ietains part of the undertaking, hut '.lie controlling share in !ho Essen coal and steel works, and also in iron mines at Limburg. Wcilbiirg, Braunfels. Dillcnburg. and Siegen is to pass to the new-ly-formed group. The "'Daily Herafd” says: “Incidentally, the Krupps’ workers, who have invested 100.000,000 under a profitsharing scheme will lose practically everything. Immediately the agreement was concluded, the passive resistance by Krupps’ workers died away, under threats of dismissal.” The “Herald” also asserts that other German firms are now preparing to follow Krupps’ lead and sell interests to foreign capitalists.