The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-14
ENGLAND, SEEKING PEACE, |S READY TO r F|CHT--B0NAR LAW
Grave Issues Face British Parliament as the Session Opens French Ruhr
 Policy Is Attacked

LONDON. Feb. 13-(By Associated day with questions of gravest im- port facing it for consid aration. Premier Law touched or two of these, the Near East and Ruhr, the first involving the relations with 1 Turkey and the whole Moslem world, and the second having a close bearing on the existing relations be- tween France and great Britain.
 There has been much discussion as to whether the British troops would be withdrawn from the Rhine land. The Prime Minister said today he hoped it would be possible to retain the troops there but to large extent that 1t would depend on France and Germany. either of whom could make their retention in German ter ritory impossible.
 Withdrawal of the British troops from the Rhine, MT Bonar Low de- clared would be a great misfortune. for that would mean the end of the entente.
 The prime minister expressed the belief that there was no danger of war in the Near East, although the Turks probably were counting upon "our supposed war weariness" ~ We do not want war" he added. but if it cannot be avoided, it must come"
 The usual state ceremonies at tended the opening of Parliament and the debate on the address in reply to the speech from the throne attracted much attention. The Kings speech emphasized that Great Britain was acting in the Ruhr so as not to add to the difficulties of her allies. The arrangement for set clement of the debt to the United states was welcomed by the King as reflecting the determination of the British people to meet thir ob legations and the hope was expressed that the Turkish problem might vet pe settled amicably.
 Relieves Turks to sirn This sentiment was echoed by the rriine Minister who expressed his confidence that Turkey would sign the treaty,
 The debate ranged over wide oues- tions of hoiNe and foreign policies. put with two questions taking front place-Ruhr affairs and the debt to the United States.
 No striking oronouncement came from either the government ar the opposition side O the House. the dis cussion being rather of a preliminary skirmishing nature. The leaders of the opposition parties piled the gov ernment energetically with queries With view to inducing the minis ters to deiine their policies; while the Prime Minister and the eovernment supporters appeared to be waiting to test the temper of the House and the country on the urgent matters under considerations. This was especially noticeable On England's future rela- tions with France.
 It became evident that the govern, ment had not decided to withdraw the British troops from the Rhine. but at the same time such withdrawals may not be far distant
 The speakers dealt temporarily with France. J. Ramsay MatDonald. the labor leader, admitted that it would be inadvisable to oppose France directly. whhe urging the need of having the Ruhr controversy referred to the League of Nations. With regard to the fSilure of the Lausanne conference Mr% Macdonald told the government that it would eventually be obliged Ito recognize the soviet government md declared l 1t would have been betts. at Lausanne had Russia been taken nore into ac count. On the question, of the debt to America MT. Macdonald wanted to know whether there had been any ne- ea.i.iians aF fo how the iett was id 4. q