During the Occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 he was deposed as mayor by the military authorities and served a deportation order by the Belgians. Since he ignored it, a military court sentenced him to two months in prison. After he was released, the Prussian and German governments appointed him "Vertrauensmann" for the occupied territory. He had become known nationwide for his steadfast stance against the occupation. Strongly nationalistic feeling (he was a Burschenschaft member) and a dedication to liberty made him one of the most ardent supporters of the "Versackungspolitik" (leaving sole responsibility for the Ruhr to the occupiers).