Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-23
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Stresemann to Re2udiate Treaty
and Abandon the Ruhr and
Rhinelard.
MELLON FOR TAX REDUCTION
BY EDWARD W. PlCkARD


CHANCELLOR STRESEMANN of
~ Germany made two momentous
decisions last week. The first was
that the national government would
temporarily abandon the Rhnelund
and the Ruhr, economically, to the
French and Belgian armies of occupa-
ton, the workers and state employees
OF those regions being warned that
henceforth they could not look to Ber-
lin for help. The second was to re
pudiate the treaty of Versailles and
refuse TO comply with any of its pro-
visions as long as the French and Bel
gians continue to occupy the Ruhr.
But Stresemann was playing II des-
perate game in the endeavor 10 stave
Off his own downfall and at this writ
ing 1t seems likely he Will fail The
Democrats and Catholics decided to
quit him, and the Socialists already
have done so. Hitherto President
Ebert has firmly supported Strese-
mann. but as the week was drawing
to "a close it appeared that he, too,
was ready to abandon the chancellor
and place his reliance in General Won
Seeckt, whom he had made supreme
military dictator.
The decision to abandon the occu-
pied regions was made necessary, ac-
cording to the chancellor. by the reichs-
bank refusal of paper credits with
which to meet the expense of main
taining the unemployed during the next
two weess-expenses which will call
for 300, 900 900 gold marks ($7500O. .0O0).
The government, said Stresemann,
was forced. because of the total break
down Of industry and commerce, to
choose between the destruction of all
Germany, with the possible salvation
of the occupied areas. and abandoning
those regions to their fate temporarily,
Return to Germany of the former
crown prince is complicating matters
more than had been expected. The
allies demanded his immediate deliv-
cry for trial as a war criminal, but
the Berlin government replied that If
he was to be tried, he would be tried
by German court Frederick Will
liam went quietly to his Silesian estate
at Oels, but French correspondent
in Berlin says he is about ready to
spring a coup for seizure of the throne
and is being financed by group of
American. English and Dutch bankers.
The story continues that the ex-prince
has obtained the solid support of the
reiclswehr and will soon march on Ber
lin at the head of division of infantry
with the assurance that no other di
visions of the national army will op-
pose him. The French also assert
that scores of German factories are
working night and day making ammu-
milton and other war materi0. Ii Is
believed in Paris that France may
proceed to occupy Frankfort and Ham
burg If Frederick William is not ex
PEELED or surrendered to the allies. A
furry was caused last week by story
to return to Germany, and already
had hi. passports. This was fatty de-
MED. Advices from Rome are to the
effect that the Vatican would like to
see the German monarchy restored in
order to prevent seizure of power by
the communists.
The gov ernment of the United
States has informed the allies that it
will not intervene to keep the Hohen-
zolierns from returning re the throne
and it is not certain what course
Great Britain will pursue. France
probably is strong enough to do all
that Is necessary without help.
Bavaria's Fascist are not wholly
subdued by the failure of the Hitler
coup. but seem unable to do anything
more Just now except create disturb
nnces. Hitler, wounded, is under ar
rest LvdendorfY also was arrested
but was Immediately released on
parole.
All hope for an agreement on the
Hughes reparations committee plan