The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
French Size German Gus
 toms as Most Severe Blow to Former Enemy PoWer--Food Shortage Becomes Acute. Fewer Arrests Are Reported
ANOTHER LOW LEVEL IN
 COAL OUTPUT IS REACHED
Railroad Strike Shows No
 Signs of Improving Many Workers Are Stranded at Sta- tlons Along Route --Bochum Council Favors Resistance

DUESSELDORF, Jan. 31.-(By Associated Press. s.)-The seizure of the Ruhr customs by the French; the low level of coal pro- duction reached; the practical dis appearance of empty coal cars from the region, threatening a complete stoppage of work at the mines within few days; the cutting of the Cologne-Berlin trunk telegraph and telephone cables at several places around Essen, completely iso- lating the city from the outside world, and a more acute scarcity of food-these were the developments of the twenty-first day of the Franco Belgian occupation.
 On the other hand, calm has ap- parently been restored so far as outward demonstrations are con eerned; the infantry, bicycle and cavalry patrols, which have been keeping order since the outbursts last Thursday, have arrested only two men at Essen and one at Duesseldorf in the past 24 hours, and these were for minor offenses. The patrols had been averaging 15 to 20 arrests daily in each of these cities.
 Little Congestion Seen.
 The taking over of the customs by the French is the most severe eco- homie blow attempted since they en- tered the Ruhr. M. Filippi, the French chief Of the Ruhr customs. ayers that the defections of the per- sonnel of the German functionaries amount to only about 40 per cent; these were immediately replaced and work proceeded normally. The Ger mans declare that more than 70 per cent of their customs staff walked out and insist that the French will not be able to handle collections.
 A visit to the Duisburg central customs house disclosed little con gestion; business was somewhat slower but the French are. keeping the doors open for two hours addi- tiona1 with the French staff and such Germans as volunteer, in order to transact the daily business.
 Coal Production Low.
 The coal production yesterday wal below 50 per cent of normal for the first time since the occupation. Only little more than 10000 tons were brought to. the surface, and owing to shortage of ''emptiesn about 10000 tons were loaded and cleared from the pit heads.
 Due to the low production the French admitted this evening that should the shortage become worse, the mines may have to shut down, as the mining operations are already hampered by lack of room at the pit heads, -due to the accumulations. There is only sufficient room at the pit heads to handle four full days normal output of the mniers, which is about 220.000 tons daily, and from 10000 to 10000 tons have remained uncleared every day for a week.
 The railroad strike shows no signs of improving; it is effective through : out the Ruhr and at Wiesbaden, Coblenz and Cologne. The stations 4 between DucSeiuOTl, Essen, Du1SburS and Ruhrort are filled with people, for the most part workers. unable to reach the city. They are bitter against the railroad men.
 Urge Resistance.
 The municipal council of Bochum. which has been a center of oppos- tion since tlL occupying powers has posted proclamation on the walls reading: .''Germans, remain firm; make the invader feel that he is our enemy and make him realize that Germans are not dogs that lick the hand that strikes them."
 The Germans have stopped the Paris Warsaw Express at the Co., lognc station for the past two days; no international eastbound train gets beyond Cologne.
 The bottom seems to have dropped ous of the exchange market. Ster- ling today brought 220.000 marks, the dollar 45,000 and the French francs 1000 in Duesesldorf and Essen with paper marks becoming scarce again.
 FRENCH LOSING PATIENCE
 DUESSELDORF.J Jan. 3o.-(Tuesday, 7:45 p. m., by the Associated Press.) The French are losing patience in the face of the stubborn resistance of the Germans. and there is evidence that real military occupation is com ing in the Ruhr.
 Stern measures. including martial law, an early curfew. suppression of the use of automobiles and censor ship of the newspapers will be en- forced in a few days, after the last opportunity has been given the Ger
 tContinucd on Page Twe1