GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. M. POINCARE’S STAND. SAME AS GERMANY IN ’7O. PARIS, Aug. 20 M. Poincare, French Premier, made speeches at (Tiassev, where lie unveiled a war memorial, and at Goiidrocourt where he unveiled a tablet commemorating tbo American Army s arrival in France, M.. Poincare said that if Germany had won the war, she would have been able to dictate her will ,and she would have thrown the wliolo world into chaos. Franco would have been the worst treated. Germany, during the war, made no mystery of her intentions. She always intended to crush France. Germany would not have treated the Allies much more generously. The Kaiser was violently hostile to Britain. Probably Britain’s navy and mercantile fleet would both have been destroyed, if Germany won, and the whole ol Europe would havo been subjected to Germany. These were now idle or impossible dreams. Several times the world had l>eon at the point of their realisation. M ithout the Allies’ union, and the valour of their soldiers, all these monstrosities would have boon accomplished. Germany had not been asked to bear the Allies’ war costs. She only had been charged with reparation for the material damage which she caused. Mas that heavy? Tf Germany did not make an effort to do what France did in 1872, then France would lx? forced to execute tho threat which Germany had made then, namely, “Pay us or we remain where we are!” France would never agree to the appointment of an international commission of experts to estimate Germany’s capacity to pay. The Reparations Commission had conscientiously estimated Germany’s actual payments. It was idle to pretend that Germany had already paid thirtytwo milliards of gold marks, as Washington had stated. Such estimates, lie pointed out. indicated what curious results would be reached if an international body of experts were entrusted with the estimating of Germany’s capacity to pay. By hard work, by faith, and liv will to pay, France in 1572 had paid her debts, and put iter finances in order. Her prosperity was not due to a miracle. What France did then, Germany could tit least make an effort to do t.o-da v. If she did not decide to make that effort. Franco would execute the threats which Germany formerly addressed to France, lie regretted that the union between the Allies and America, which was so close during the war, had not been retained in peace with the character and force of an alliance. The preparation for the signing of the Treaty led Franco to take for granted action which would hare guaranteed both reparations and .security, blit the American Senate had not ratified the actions of President 'Wilson. The United States thought tho time had come to dissociate themselves from European affairs. M’hilst regret ling America’s decision, France understood it was not directed tijgainsl her. She fell certain that a great majority of the people of America considered France was perfectly justified in taking pledges when Germany defaulted, and refusing to give them up for vain promises. America would regard tt nation which wasted time in consultations, hesitations, and complaints as a nation afflicted with incapacity and powerlessness. Besides “Heaven helps those who help themselves!” It was with that conviction that France had entered the Ruhr.

RUHR RESISTANCE. PARTS. Aug. 27. Reports from Dusseldorf state that seven thousand miners, at a mass meeting in Nehimulile. decided to cease the passive resistance against the French, and to resume work on (Monday. EMBARGO ON FOREIGN CURRENCY. RERUN, Aug. 23. The new toreign currency law operates from to-morrow. Evaders of tbo law who buy foreign currency are liable to imprisonment from six months to ton years, with confiscation of heir property, and an unlimited fine.