The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-21
With 18 Leading Citizens in Jail, Citizens of Former En- emy Power Learn Paris Is Firm in Demand For Pay. Continue Passive Resistance RAIL STRIKE THREATENED AND CARS SIDETRACKED Output From Mines Greatly
 Decreased Since Occupation
 Economic Fight to Finish Is Now in Evidence Business
 Men Show But Little Cheer
By Associated Press q

man industrial leaders in the Ruhr have been arrested for obstructing the occupation of the French. They were sent to French military head quarters at Mayence, where they probably will be placed on trial Monday.
 In consequence of this drastic ac- ton, the occupying authorities are menaced with strikes of far-spread- ing nature. These are not likely to be confined to the mine workers, but all classes in the Ruhr valley may cease work in sympathy.
 Their feelings already inflamed by the events of the past week, the workers have become further in censed by the arrest of the mine di- rectors. They declare thy will not continue work while the directors are held.
 Coal Is Moved
 During the 10 days of occupation about 100000 tons of requistioned coal has been diverted to France, six coke ovens and four mines. all state owned, have been taken over and about 10000, 900, 900 marks in customs receipts and tax collections have been sequestrated, according to the French.
 London appears to be watching the Ruhr procedures anxiously but the spokesmen of the government are not ! overly sangune. The question of mediation by Great Britain as sug- gested by the Italian ambassador in behalf of his country has met with no response.
 GERMANS CONTINUE
 PASSIVE RESISTANCE
 DUESSELDORF, Jan. 20.-With IS of their leading compatriots in the jail at Mayence, the Germans are be- ginning to realize that the French are in earnest in carrying out their reparation policy in the Ruhr valley. Despite the arrests, however, there is no sign of an intention by the Germans to recede from their pro- gram of non operation and pas- sive resistance to the occupational authorities.
 The men in custody include state officials, industrial leaders and capi- talsts. The conditions of their in- carceration will not be severe, as they are to be treated as political nTlSOneTS anu dlioNtQ to oDldlH lOOu from restaurants, together with their favorite brand of wines, one bottle for each meal.
 Little Cheer Seen
 Prospects of good treatment, how ever, brought them little cheer, and all appeared in a serious and de- termined mood when they reached Duesseldorf in motor cars from Es- sen today-that is, all except big jolly Fritz Thyssen. who never lost his perpetual smile and 'bubbling good humor. Thyssen is the active head of the great industries founded by his father, August Thyssen, which rival the huge Shines industrial group.
 Not one representative. of the working men has been molested by the occupational authorities thus far but four coke and coal trains, con- fiscated in transit by the French, to- day are stalled on various sidings in the Ruhr valley, the railway men refusing to move them toward France. The French claim that the railroad men have not refused" to work the trains because they have not been requested to do so, but inc Germans say the occupational authorities refrained from this re- quest only because it would meet ' with certain refusal
 Send Train Workers
 The French are rushing locomotive engineers and firemen to the Ruhr and profess to be unperturbed by tEe developments, but they admit there is danger of serious congestion on the Ruhr railroad system should the confiscations continue and the tralns remain sidetracked.
 Mining operations continue throughout the Ruhr, but unofficial estimates show that the total out put of the mines has decreased 20 per cent. as compared with the cor responding week last year.
 The whole affair appears to be an economic fight to the finish. for both sides are too deeply engaged to withdraw without enormous loss of prestige.
 "we can live six months without Ruhr coal" one of 'the highest of ficials of the French mission said today. "It remains to be seen how long Germany can dispense with it'
 Meanwhile nearly everybody, in Dusseldorf at least, appears pros porous. The cafes are filled and 2 the various places of entertainment are doing a' booming business, with large majority of. the patrons of German nationality.
 The only real distress is among the bourgeoisie, as the workmen (Continued on Page '-wo)