The Ruhr

Violence -- Nerves --Diplomatic Smoke Screens -- Hints of Peace France. Premier Poincaire reiterated his statement that French troops will be withdrawn in proportion to the payments received from Germany. He also confirmed the Government's firm intention to examine in a spirit of equity any serious proposals addressed to it directly by the German Government. Answering interpellations from the Left in the Chamber of Deputies, M. Poincare remarked: "It is odious to attribute to France designs of annexation! [Laughter from the Radicals.] We went into the Ruhr to get reparations and for no other reason. We will leave the Ruhr when Germany pays, not before!" Germany. Chancellor Cuno has expressed Germany's willingness to negotiate with the French as soon as definite promises have been given that the French will evacuate the Ruhr. The German Nationalists (royalists) have tried to force the Reichstag into an aggressive policy by issuing an ultimatum. "Our cup of humiliation is full to the brim, and indignation has come to the boiling point. Everywhere there is sentiment for forcible action--and to avoid responsibility the Government should act, thereby placing the consequences squarely upon the French and Belgians." The "Allies." The Belgians and Italians are rather nervous about the whole situation. The former are alarmed at the determination displayed by both the French and the Germans, and are frankly pessimistic about the eventual outcome of the occupation. The latter are concerned by the limited results obtained from a project which they had fondly hoped would return them handsome profits, and are alarmed at the prospect that they may be called upon to pay part of the occupation costs. The Fight. Resistance, threats and violence are the order of the day. A requisitioning expedition by the French at Essen ended in a casualty list of 9 killed and 26 wounded. A large number of Germans were arrested and some were deported; the most important case being the arrest of four Krupp directors on the charge of stirring the workers to resist the troops. General Degoutte threatened to expel all railway officials and workers unless they return to work. Hotels and stores in Bochum, forcibly closed by the French a month ago, declined to reopen on the ground that they would still refuse to serve or sell to the French.

Peace Offer. The cat is out of the bag in Rome! It appears that Herr Hugo Stinnes' real purpose in going to the capital of Italy a fortnight ago was to propose a basis for a Ruhr peace settlement. The attitude of Italy and Belgium to the Ruhr question, combined with a visit of the Belgian Foreign Minister, M. Jaspar, to Milan, where he conferred with Mussolini, make the diplomatic smoke screen fairly transparent. It is the most unlikely thing in the world that the Belgian statesman came expressly from Brussels to exchange nonsensical urbanities with the Italian premier over an afternoon cup of tea. There was a reason, and it was to discuss the German peace proposition. The offer which Stinnes made to Mussolini, and which he discussed with Jaspar, was Allied participation in German industry as the determining factor of a new reparations agreement. A suggestion was appended that the Italian and Belgian Governments, with the possible inclusion of Poland, should propose mediation with the foreknowledge of France.