The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-03-03
HOW LLOYD GEORGE
VIEWS FRENCH STEP
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write controversial articles on ques-
tons which might come before him
for decision as a judge. He therefore
very properly resigned his commits
sionership.
But to revert to the speeches deliv-
cred by these eminent statesmen. If
they mean what actual words con
vey. then France means to stick to
the Ruhr Not by way of Annexa-
ton. Oh, no. That, according to VI.
Barthou is a foolish. mendacious
and stupid" lie. But France means
20 hang on to the cages" until rep
aration is paid.
What are the "gages?" The indus
tries Of the Ruhr. If the French gov
eminent is to control industries which
represent the life of this prosperous
area for thirty years. it assumes great
er authority over the district than it
exercises over the mining area of Pas
de Calais.
"In Our Own Mining Districts"
In its own mining districts no gov
ernment takes upon itself-except
during war-to give directions as to
the destination and distribution CT coal
produced. But there are indications
that control over the Ruhr industries
IS to be Of a much more far-reaching
character than this. And this is where
the hints-broad hints-thrown out by
the French press come in.
France, in order to secure payment
Of the reparation installments in fu
ture, is to be given shares in these
great mines and industries.
What proportion of shares? Among
the cages" demanded by Poincare in
August last year were 60 per cent Of
the shares in certain pivotal German
industries in the Rhine area.
Now the Ruhr industries are clear
" TO be included within the scope Of
the demand. France has the iron ore
Of Lorraine and the coal of the Sarre
valley Her financiers have been en-
gagged in buying up coal mines in
Silesia If she can secure the con-
trolling interest in the Ruhr mines
and Belgium and Poland can be per
I
continent Of Europe win be at the
mercy of this immense coal and iron
combine.
I said last week that the ports were
still open. So long as they are Central
Europe can protect itself to a certain
extent against this gigantic trust, for
the products Of Britain and America
viii be available. But that possibility
is to be provided against. Nothing is
to be left to chance.
One of the cages" is to be control
| over German customs. How can Ger
many balance a budget without a rev
enUe? How can she raise a revenue
without a tariff? What more produc-
tive tariff than duty on foreign coal,
metal and manufacturers?
And thus all competitive products
Will be excluded from the German
markets. The combine will thus be
( supreme.
It is true that if this cynical
scheme comes off there is an end Of
reparations-for the independence OF
| German industry is strangled and it's
| life will soon languish. But there are
I SAS us lLdL 4 IeIlCA enterprise ilttS dDttii-
doned all idea Of recovering repara-
tons and that it is now brOoding upon
/ lOOt-on an immense scale.
/ For discussions in the French press
I contemplate even wider and more
far-reaching developments than those
involved in control of German indus
tries.
\ ''NO Traffic With Murder
Italy. Poland and even Russia are
to be brought in. The high line taken
for years by Partisan papers about
no traffic with murder" is being
given up. Instead We have much sen
timental twaddle about restoring old
friendly relations between France and
Russia. OF course for a consideration.
RUSSIA is TO buy; Germany is to manu-
I facr1Iras Fra 10 tn motif