A Conference Brewing

The Communist strike in the Ruhr was settled by a grant of 50% increase to the workers. This is only half what they wanted, and the value of the " raise" is insignificant when considered in ratio to the fall of the mark from 58,826 to 79,300 to the dollar--all within a single week.

Sabotage continues. Last week the main line of the railway used by the French for transportation of coal to France was torn up for a considerable, distance by bombs. To the French ,this is only an inconvenience. Their victory in the Ruhr, from a materialistic point of view, is complete; but they have not been able to conquer the spirit of the people to the same extent.

Behind the scenes there was much scurrying, and there is positively no doubt that a concerted effort is being made by France, Germany, Belgium, Britain and Italy to bring the vexatious question of reparation payments to an end.

The French Government confirmed for what must be the hundredth time its inalterable decision to remain firm on its Ruhr policy. President Millerand added his voice to that of the Government. During his recent tour of France he says the people energetically supported the Ruhr policy, giving vent to their approval in cries of "Stick it out! " "Don't budge!" "We are with you!" "Don't worry!" Despite these outward manifestations there is an inward tendency on the part of the Government to accede to the growing demands of organized labor and the big industrialists for an early Ruhr peace.

Belgium has a plan. Premiers Poincare and Theunis discussed it at Brussels. This plan is to accept payment from Germany of annuities (suggested by Germany) guaranteed by German State Monopolies, excess taxation over budget requirements, control of railroads. Two big points in the Belgian scheme: A Reparation Conference in which Britain and Italy shall be represented, and immediate evacuation of the Ruhr after guarantees for the Allied terms have been accepted and given by Germany! So far Poincare has not made public what he thinks of this "dinky little plan," but, nolens volens, it seems he will have to let the British in.

Responding to pressure from home and abroad Stanley Baldwin will play, it is said, a major part at the corning Reparation Conference, which will be held toward the end of this month, according to present arrangements. Premier Baldwin's scheme is to grant terms of payment to Germany along the lines of those granted to Great Britain by the United States. It is pointed out that if the richest country in Europe wants 62 years to pay off its war debt, Germany should at least be entitled to the same length of time. Baldwin will bring forward his plan in support of the Belgian scheme. Thus he is bringing his mathematical mind to the solving of Britain's economic problem. Since the Ruhr occupation commenced, the coal output exceeded that of 1913 by over a million and a quarter tons. The price, however, jumped with the output, and British Industry as a whole is suffering seriously. It is absolutely essential that Germany be allowed to compete in the world's markets if the economic and financial condition of Britain is not to be ruined. Baldwin knows this and is determined to end the French escapade.

In Germany financial, industrial, commercial, diplomatic and political activity is most marked. Certain German personages of high repute were despatched to London to sound the general political feeling and to ascertain what contributions Great Britain will make toward a settlement. Nothing is yet known of the outcome of their deliberations, except that it was mutually favorable. The Stinnes Industrial Group was not inactive. Herr Hugo Stinnes undertook another visit to Italy for the purpose of obtaining approval from Italian Bankers and the Government for the real German offer and the new method of payment. Stinnes also offered the Government an increase in production of one billion gold marks a year (applicable to reparations payments), and a loan of 500,000,000 gold marks if necessary, in return for the repeal of the export control and the eight-hour working day laws.