New-York tribune., 1922-12-14
France to Enter
RuI1r ON janis,
Paris Declares
POincare and BOnar Law
Said to Have Reached
Understanding on Prob
lem; Britain TO Keep Out
Customs Fence Planned
Duty of 25 Per Cent Is To
BE Placed Upon All of
Cermany's Expectations
en.einl cnhl. % rL. rrlbrn.


Copyright. 1884, New YORK Tribune Inc.
PARIS, Dec. Is(-France viii enter
the Ruhr on January IS, according to
influential Prenchrlen IA. close touch
With the London Conferences. Ne on
eial mention will be made Of this de-
eision until after the conclusion Of the
conference which Is 10 reeonvene here
January 2, according 10 the report, but
Premiers Poipcare and Bonar Law are
said TO have reached a definite under
standing 10 that effect in London.
After formal protest Britain, It is
said, will maintain a laissez-faire pol
icy toward the occupation.
The French government considers
this new step IN eXactlng payment
from Germany simply as a temporary
occupation and not as the seizure OF
new territory. The French will leave
the coal fields 10 function as before. A
customs barrier will be erected around
the Ruhr and % per cent duty placed
on all German expectations. This will
give the Allies $50 100000 annually, ae-
cording to the minimum estimate.
In this manner France hopes 10 con-
troll the German industrialists who arc
dependent on Ruhr coal for the contin-
uance Of their operations. France be-
lieyos they will cease attacking the
Versailles treaty when the Allies hold
the possibility OF reprisals, which
would hurt their poeketbooks.
While in London Premier Poincarc
said he would be forced 10 this action
on account Of the French public opin.
ion, which was tired Of being fooled by
Germany throughout the last four
years. He suggested, however, II tho
British Premier could not agree "a
take action with France because OF
English opinion equally stubborn, 4
was useless for The two countries "a
quarrel over the matter, since France
was irrevocably pledged 10 the 0ccupE'
tion OF the Ruhr. Premier Poineare
asked Premier Bonar Law just 70 keep
out Of the question and leave the en-
tire responsibility on Frances shoul'
ders.
The British Premier seemed entirely
disposed TO allow France 20 act alone,
but warned Poincare he would be forced
20 protest as a matter Of form.
"lf you enter the Ruhr cannot
back you up and there may be slight
chill In the atmosphere between our
countries" Premier Bonar Law told the
French executive.
"Then we'll work together for the
purpose Of warming up the Amos
phere," Premier Poineare rejoined. To
this Bonar Law assented.
This was cited as evidence Of the
extreme cordiality Of the conference,
even when the two premiors held op-
posing views. According 10 officials
here the London sessions were strik-
ingly different from any held with
Lloyd George. In a similar difference
OF opinion Lloyd George would have
threatened 10 break up the Entente
unless France acceded TO his policy.
The difference was again shown over
the German note. Lloyd George prob
ably would have invited the German
officials 20 appear IN the conference
and explain their viewpoint, whereas
Bonar Law realized that such e move
was unnecessary.
The DUAL d0rsay warns that there
will be the utmost secrecy surrounding
French plans until the premiers re-
convene In January. Il does not hesl-
tate, however, 20 repeat the familiar
war cry; "No moratorium without
guaranties."