GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GERMAN CRISIS ENDS. LONDON, August 15. Reports from Berlin indicate that although spasmodic outbreaks continue, the crisis is ended, at any rate for the present. The new Chancellor, Herr Stre.semann, is infusing an optimistic spirit, and even the Paris press finds little objectionable in his Reichstag speech. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent reports that Herr Stresentaim’s optimism is proving infectious. The mark has improved, and the people are surprised to see prices tailing. The Government promises to take strong stops to increase, supplies and to reduce ptices. Conferences are being arranged with the agriculturalists and industrialists with a view to speeding tip production, and. transport. Ihe position of the new Government has oeen strengthened by a general friendly reception in the foreign press. Ex-Chancellor Ctmo is likely to be the next German Ambassador to tin United States, as Herr 'YViedfeld is retiring shortly. Af. POINCARE READY. LONDON. Aug 15. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Paris correspondent states“AVlien AL Poiti-i-are returned to Paris, he had in his head a full reply to the British Note in sixty-seven paragraphs. He had worked at the subject in the train, and began to write a reply to-day. AYhcther it is a preparation for a diplomatic document, or for a speech, it is a prodigious perform a nee. Al. Poincare seems immune from fatigue. He writes every word himsclt. and lu* can repeat from memory every word ho writes. “The supposition in official circles is that the gist of the reply will be that France does not intend to abandon her policy of productive pledges, through temporarily the adjective is hardly applicable. The reply will quote Chancellor Stresemann as evidence that the British Note is encouraging the German passive resistance. '1 ho majority of Frenchmen await Al. Poincare's ropL calmly and confidently, knowing that it will be a strong alii lunation of France's pnliey, and that every paragraph will breathe no surrender. Al. Poincare still has the mass of his countrymen behind hint, but there is a fly in'the ontment. The English pound is blamed for the depreciation of the French money, and there is talk of I'm money battle ending badly tor Britain, as the order of the day will be ‘ to purchases from England!” Nevertheless, moderate opinion has not abandoned hope of Britain and France talking things over and re-establishing the Entente.” FINANCIAL 1 At PRO YEAIENT. LONDON. August HI. The "Daily Telegraph’s” Berlin enriesponde.itt says :—“Apparently the storm is over. The Communists have issued a manifesto, which is practically an tulmsision of defeat. There is a decline in the prices of food, which not only revives hope, but brings wares out of their hiding ] laces, the merchants foaling that they will lose- by holding stocks, if the mark regains strength. A couple of days longer and every town will bo flooded wiut potatoes and butter.” “No /details iof tilie arrangenK'ntsl made between the new Government and tlto bankers have been permitted to be revealed, but every endavour is being made to prevent the mark breaking loose again, and to galvanise the public confidence with a view to securing the success of a. new dollar loan, by means of which the Government aims at the creation of a new currency, which ultimately will replace tho paper mails. RIOTING CONTINUES. BERLIN, August 15. Communist demonstrations continue. A mob .stormed the pi ison in Zeitz, and released tho prisoners. The mnrKcts in Herne were pillaged by famished crowds, and at Aix-La-Chapelle, rioters raided! the slaughterhouses, while shops were looted of their contents. The mob then invaded the countryside, and laid waste potato fields. Next they endeavoured to break into the prison, but the police resisted, and in ensuing lighting eighteen persons were killed, and two hundred were wounded. The Communist leaders at Aix-La Chnpelle endeavoured to establish Commissions to sell foodstuffs, but- the crowd were uncontrollable, nnd swept aside the leaders and pillaged indiscriminately.

At Berlin a merchant refused to obey a police order to reduce the price of eggs, and he destroyed several thousands. RUHR SABOTAGE. DUSSELDORF REPRISAL. : PAR IS, August- 15. The Commander of the Du.ssehlorl bridgehead lias prohibited tramway and („11 .other vehicular traffic over the biidge, as a. penalty for the recent outrage in Dusseldorf Two men arrested at Essen pleaded guilty to sabotage in the Ruhr district where they had damaged the water mains, coal barges, and moving bridge steel works.