New-York tribune., 1921-03-13
Germans Slow
U p Output to
Dodge Penalty
Press Asserts Allied Sane.
tions Have Resulted in
Cancellation of Large
Orders for the Factories
Courted Seizure, Belief
Entente ENJOYS Certain Ber-
lin Deliberately Played
for I'll eaviest Terms
By Ralph Courtney
Special Gable To The Tribune

Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Inc
DUSSELDORF, Germany, March ~.
With campaign being waged in the
German press to convince the world
that the Allied invasion and infiction
Of penalties is causing widespread can
collation. Of factory orders and hamper
ing German production, representatives
Of the Entente here are becoming more
and more convinced that the Germans
deliberately played for the imposition
Of the present penalties.
In Allied circles the belief prevails
that the Germans, hoping to force their
country into worse financial straits so
that the Entente powers could never
collect the war bill, went to the con-
ference table in London with their
minds made up to let the Allies make
good their threats. 1t is said that the
Germans foresaw, if they did not actu-
ally plan, the results which their re-
fusal to yield to the Allies brought to
Germany.
The British here are not satisfied
with Germany's meek submission and
are asking whether the next move, in
the event Of further German default,
will be an extension of the customs
barrier to include the whole industrial
region Of Westphala.
Require Deposit by Foreigners
The German newspapers print more
reports Of the cancellation Of orders in
German factories as the result OF the
Allied trade threats. Many German
manufacturers now stipulate that for
elSn buyers must deposit the cash to
pay for their purchase in some bank in
neutral country. before the goods will
be shipped
German reports from Holland indi-
cate al effort to get common action
by neutrals to counceract the attem pt
of the Allies to divert German trade So
Is to collect duties on it,
British officials on the Rhine esti-
mate that the amount the Allies will
derive from control of customs along
the river will be comparatively small.
The total of import and export duties
collected in February alone on the
frontier from Aix-la- Chapelle to Saar-
brucken amounted. at present rates of
exchange, to S300,000. At this rate less
than $4,0OC,OO0 could be collected an
nually.
The British, on economic grounds.
strongly oppose the establishment Of
the customs frontier on q line running
thirty kllometers east of the Rhine.
arguing that this frontier would cut
the Industrlal region iii the middle and
would not assure the greatest benefit
to the Allied reparations Golfers.
Revenue Ring at Coblenz
Assuming that the United States will
not cooperate in the customs admins
tratlon on the frontier between Ger
many and the new Rhine state, it is
understood that the French will be
charged with setting up a revenue ring
around the American military bridge
head at Coblenz.
Representatives of German industry
are fearful that the customs frontier
VIII cause higher prices and less en-
ployment. They complain that the
occupation means loss to their indus
tries. They cite one case in which an
order from Sweden for 100000 marks
obtained by the Humboldt railway car
riage building works has been Cancelled
because of the Allied invasion and
trade restrictions.
The French forces here have been
reinforced by an Alpine battalion.
which will replace the Belgians who
withdrew yesterday, leaving the French
IN complete command in Dusseldorf.
The British who are here in small
numbers represent little more than
moral support. The British comman-
der, General Morland, reviewed the
French troops last night.
Worry French Administration
The Germans continue to worry the
French administration with all sorts
OF petty local troubles. General
Gaucher, French commander, received
a delegation of employers who com
planned that thirty bricl<layers had
gone on strike They asked that the
French compel the workmen to resume.
Delegates from the bricklayers trade
union also visited the General and
asked for definite ruling in the case.
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