GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITAIN'S JU’lllt ATTITUDE. LONDON, Oct. 0. In his speech at the Imperial Con fereiiee. Lord Curzon said: "Me welcome our Allies’ victory in the Ruhr, if victory it was!" But be pointed out that, as the British Government, had anticipated, this had produced the beginnings of internal disruption in Germany. 'This disruption was not mcre!v a ominous symptom, but it had a portentous economic .significance, ns it meant the ultimate disappearatu e of the debtor himself. Lord Curzon added that Britain awaited the expected next proposals from France. Britain was quite ready to receive and to discuss in a friendly spirit the measures France now proposed to take. He stressed the British right to be consulted, and expressed the opinion that tile German surrender should have been made three months ago. but he suspected that no German Government, at that time, could have survived a surrender. Tt was at present uncertain whether Herr Stresemann, who had the courage and wisdom to take this step, would stirvive. Were we, however, any nearer a settlement ? Would the reparations begin to flow in? Lord Curzon intimated that- the Government thought the time for a discussion between the Allies had come. He said he had not concealed the Bri-ti-li view in his conversations with the French Ambassador, and it had tho approval of Air Baldwin, who recently did so much by his visit to l’aris to recreate a friendly atmosphere, after a rather heated discharge of rival guns. The German Government were, so far as lie could gather, sincere in their intentions, and had taken the steps required, "though it might be too much to expect that the abandonment of the resistance would he followed instatttlv by enthusiastic co-operation.' "Our position at Cologne," he said.

"gives us a right to be consulted in nnv local arrangement that may be proposed, and that position we have no intention of abaudoning. Our reparation claim, willing as we have been to pare it down, in the interests of a settlement, renders it impossible that any such settlement could he reached without our co-operation. Our stake in the economic recovery of Europe, which, in some respects affects us more than Germany’s immediate neighbour, makes us long for a peaceful issue, and we have already shown a willingness to contribute to that issue by unexampled concessions.”

CAUSTIC BRES.S COAIM ENT. LONDON, Oct. li. The "Daily Express,” ill editorial comments, says: "Lord Curzou's velercnc,• to the Ruhr is only a restatement of tho British position, as made on August II.” It adds that, the result "is merely to publish to the world the fact that Britain has no settled policy; that her .Ministers speak with different voices, as occasions demand. First, we have the British Note of August 11: then we have Air Baldwin's communique after Ihe Baris interview; and then Lord Curzou's reassertion of the August Note. We have little sympathy with the French viewpoint, and none with the German. .Lord Curzon leaves us exactly where wc were —in a dickens of a mess. There is only one way out, namely, to draw clear ot Europe, and turn our energies to the Dominions and colonies, ami to India and Egypt. Tims we should find work for our workers, and safety for our state." G KRAI AN FEELING. LONDON, Oct. G. Tile ‘‘Daily Chronicle’s’’ Berlin correspondent telegraphed last evening:— "Events marched rapidly to-day. I.a-l night llerr Strescmami, despite ret teals by Herr Minntix and llerr Wit-d----feldt (Ambassador at Washington) to join in a reduced Cabinet- thought be could bring his new ship into port. This morning all his plans came tumbling to the ground. First Herr Dossier announced lie would not enter a nonparty administration. Then the Centre Early became chilly towards the piojoeted .Ministry, and later every one of the proposed Ministers singly announced that thy had changed their minds. Herr St resemann made offers further afield among members of the Right, which aroused alarm among tlit* big Coalition parties. The Democrats immediately issued an ultimatum that if the Cabinet were not based on a coalition, they would rather withdraw their support. Thus llerr Strescmanu’s efforts to form a dictatorial directorate have tailed completely. STB ESEAIA NX'S M AXOECVR KS. BERLIN. Oct. 5. The Democratic Early has passed a resolution that it is unable to support the new Government, it having no parliamentary basis. As the majority of the other parties have adopted the same view, it is believed that Chancellor Stresemann will now try to form a Cabinet that will be supported by the Barliameiitarv parties. LONDON. Oct. G. The "Daily Chronicle's” Berlin correspondent states: "Later yet has tome another sensation. The old Government is to remain. An expert commission will examine the issues between the parties. Herr Stresemann on Saturday addresses the Reichstag, which will tlien lie adjourned sine (lie. The old Government will then work out a programme in detail, and the Reichstag will re-assemhlc within a fortnight to conisder and vote up m this programme." RUHR SITUATION. LONDON. Oct. G. The ".Morning Post's" Baris correspondent. reports that all the inhumation reaching the French Government from the Ruhr indicates that, though til,: resistance technically lots ceased, the railwaymeii. miners, and others are no: returning to work. It is confirmed that large numbers of workmen on the Ist October received a month’s pay i.: advance, as previously, while in the Palatinate nianv thousands were actually paid three months in advance on the same date. ACQUITTED. BERLIN. Oct. .I. The trial has concluded oi the junker Von Kahne. charged with the murder on February LBth., 1.022, ot I.'iasc. Accused admitted shooting down I.a axe for trespassing on his land, leaving hint I sully wounded. Witnesses stated -.n Kahne struck the man on the toad will, the butt of bis rifle, and gave instructions to have his body bdt for wild boars to devour. Yon Kahne was acquitted of murder.