THE RHINE PROVINCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 5

THE RHINE PROVINCE.

DESIRES FRENCH NATIONALI ITY. ESCAPING GERMANY'S RUIN. Received May 30, ]l.4o*p.m. Loudon, May 29. Berlin telegrams report indignation in Government circles at the announcement that a Rhenish Republic, lias been proclaimed. The German Government has issued a proclamation that anyone attempting to dissolve the unity of the Rhine province with Prussia will be punishable with life sentence. The movement in favor of a republic is supported by commercial and financial circles in the Rhine province, in the hope that they may thus escape the financial ruin which is threatening the rest of Germany. If France is willing they would include the Rhenish Republic within the French Customs Union. If France is unwilling to do this, the RVmelanders prefer to become French altogether.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

[ THE SAAR VALLEY. THE ALLIES' REPLY TO GERMANY. Received May 30, 7.55 p.m. Paris, May 25. The Allies' reply to Germany's Saar Volley note points out that exploitation of the mines is a part of the general reparation as well as for the destruction of French minesThe reply denies that the inhabitants of the valley are wholly German, and asserts that the control will not be by the French but by the League of Nations. Germany is also reminded that the inhabitants of the Saar Valley will be guaranteed certain social and fiscal liberties, and states, lastly, that with a view to avoiding misunderstanding, that if Germany, after the expiry of one year after the plebiscite, has effected payments in gold, the League of Nations >riav revise the reparation plan, perhaps liquidating the outstanding amount with part of the mines.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. Received May 30, 5.45 p.m. Paris, May 29. President Wilson and Signor Orlando have reached an agreement regarding the Adriatic. —Aus. N.fl. Cable Assoc.