ASSASSINATION THREAT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1923, Page 3

ASSASSINATION THREAT

CAPITULATION ADVOCATED

["Tiie Times” Service.]

(Received this dav at 9.25 n.m.) LONDON, Sep. 21. The ‘Times" Berlin correspondent savs llmt the thrents to assassinate Dr StiTsemimn if he surrenders to J'ranee on the Bulir question cannot he assumed to he idle in view of the fate of Fuzeberger and Balhenau. It is considered in reliable circles that it Uic Stresemann Cabinet resigned rathet than capitulate, the alternative would he a reactionary dictatorship with all

the attendant disorder which follows its # repression. It is difficult to see how I this would produce a solution of the reparations problem as the reactionaries are even more bitterly antagonistic to France. It is argued here that a dictatorship would eventually be engulfed by forces of disintegration and disorder which would not bring France any nearer reparations or Europe nearer to

peace. The "Times” Cologne correspondent says the project that is discussed on till sides is the formation of a Rhineland .State, separated from Prussia and enjoying equal status with the other German States. It is argued that France might lie placated it it was shown that such a State would promote the French security against Prussian aggression; also other German States might agree if convinced that it would defeat those aiming at a separation of the Rhineland completely from Germany. The leading Social-Democrats organ, the "Rhenisehe Zoituiig” advocates capitulations without conditions, even abandoning the Ruhr victims to I*reneh mercy. The' wilder Socialists see in capitulation a plot between France and the Ruhr industrialists for the enslavement of the workers. They hint at strikes and every imaginable method of resistance, Meanwhile the industrialists, it is understood, favour conversations with Berlin, to ascertain how the project of a Rhenish State is likely to bo received. They dare not make the proposals themselves hut I clieve that it might he achieved if the suggestion fornuillv emnnalos from Berlin.