The Washington herald., 1921-04-25
Puts Complete Control of
German Plants in
French Hands.
WOULD MEAN REAL
GUARANTEE TO PAY
Allies Could Reimburse
Themselves by TAX
ing Coal.
By FRANK III. sIMoNDs.

In terms of American economic
geography. what does the occupa-
tion Of the Ruhr by allied armies,
now become almost inevitable, ao-
tuaIIy mean? While there is no alb
solute comparison one may say
roughly that 4 military occupation
of the whole State of Pennsylvania
would mean for the United States
what the Ruhr seizure is going to
mean for Germany.
Territorially. Of course. there is
no comparison. for the Ruhr area Is
exceedingly small. Yet within this
block of territory. twenty miles by
forty, are eleven out of the forty
seven German cities having a popu-
lation In excess of 100000.
Best Coal in Europe.
The explanation of this is found
in the presence Of the best coal de-
posits in Europe. In addition river
and canal communication both with
the rest of Germany and with Hol-
land, and a network of railways
have contributed to the develop
ment- Not even in Great Britain
has there been as prosperous a
community as the Ruhr.
Before the war just half of the
coal mined in Germany. 10000. 1000
tons. was raised in this area. as
! compared with less than 10000. 900
/ tons of the Upper Silesian mines
and 15.ooo.Oo0 forethe Sarre Basin.
Moreover, the Ruhr mines are
nearer to almost all of the Germs n
centers of Industry. while the coal
itself. is far better than that Of the
Sarre.
Produced s,o0oy0oo Tons of Iron.
The fact that 100000 tons of pig
iron are produced annually IN this
Ruhr region is, perhaps, a sufficient
index Of its Industrial Importance.
while the Krupp works at Essen
had worldwide fame even before
the last war,
The Industrial future of Germany
depends upon the Ruhr, for both
the Sarre and the Silesian coal
helds are probably lost
But with the Forthcoming occu-
patton of the Ruhr. France will
control all three Of the great coal
mans will be obliged to apply to
France for coal to run all of their
Industrial plants throughout Ger
many.
Moreover. 1t is the present plan
to seize all of the vast Ruhr indus
trial establishments as we'll as the
jmines and run them In the interests
of the allied creditors of Germany,
turning over the profits to the ac-
count of reparations.
would Assure Cheap Coal.
At the same time France. Belgium
and Italy will be able to supply
their own needs for coal, and there
fs . large deficit in each country.
This coal account will be credited
Rgsinst German reparations until
the sum total is discharged, which
tan hardly be in less than a genera
ton.
Controlling the Rhine nd having
fsnaIs connecting the Rhine with
both the Seine and the Rhone, the
French can move the Ruhr coal
eheaply to their own territory and
distribute II. It can also be sent to
italy through Marseilles. and to
Belgium Nover the Rhine and the
.anal systems.
From the moment Of occupation
he allies can thus begin paying
themselves out of German coal. up
o the limit Of their own consump-
ion.
would Control All Industries.
In reality the allied occupation
BIZ the Ruhr, which in practice
would amount to French occupa-
hon. would put all German industry
Il the mercy Of the allies. This
xpIsins the sudden and panic
tricken appeal to the United States.
For months Simons and Fehren-
bach. who signed the appeal to
President Harding have been tour
ng Germany declaring that Ger
many was not responsible for the
Far, did not lose II and could not
e made to pay for 1t. They have
eckoned that England and the
United States would in the last
halysis prevent French forward
arch in the Ruhr.
The several declarations Of the
Iarding administration and the
ction Of the British in joining the
rench in the London conference
bst month have at last opened Ger
ban eyes to the peril which May l
lust bring.
German Action Too Late
Hence the frantic activities of re-
bnt days. But II Is well nigh GER
hon that the action has come too
Ite- The French are determined
ow to take real guarantees which
an insure future performance.
Seated In the Ruhr, France can at
times exercise pressure Of an ir-
,sistible character upon Germany.
nd without the power to exercise
jch pressure the French believe
ey will be no better OF than they
I've been since the armistice, no
after how attractive German Of
rs may be when committed to
per.
Thus. unless every sign fails, the
kcupation of the Ruhr Is inevitable
Id Germany will have to face her
emies with her industrial and
ineral wealth in their hands.
This is the logical consequence of
srman policy since the signing of
: Treaty of Versailles. the result
two full years OF evasion and de-
nee. Of a steady refusal to face
cts.