The Mankato free press., 1923-11-02
PO|NCARE DEMAND
MADE IN ADDRESS
Declaring Germany Must
Keep the Pledges
INQUIRY OF EXPERT
Independent RhineIand State
Reported lettering From
Lack of Support
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch ]

Nevers, France, November L.
Premier Poincare, speaking today at
the Inauguration of q soldiers me-
mortal here. stated that Germany
had been forced into a symatically
organized bankruptcy and that GER
tain classes Of the population have
been reduced to misery for the sole
benefit of wealthy industrial and
commercial leaders.
For this reason he deems it nee
essary, he said. to hold Germany's
pledges until France is paid in full,
and pointed out the progress made
in the Ruhr during French occupa-
ton toward a resumption of econo-
mic activity.
In conclusion he defined the scope
by the reparations commission by
stating that it must only deal with
Germany's present capacity to pay.
Role of Experts.
Let an examination De made to
discover what Germany can pay this
moment or during a short space of
time" Mr.. Poincare said. THAT is
well. That is the very role of the
reparation commission, enlightened
by experts it can appoint; that the
reparation commission determine
new arrangements Of payment is the
mission 1t received from the treaty,
that is search for means of raising
German finance is q purely none
tary fashion Is its right, but let it
not attempt either to change deci-
sions it has already taken regarding
the total amount of our credits nor
engage in future attempts indefi-
nitely.
What injustice, what risk, if in a
short time Germany should be freed
from part OF its debt, and II in some
years she should present herself be-
lore US resurrected, enriched to hu-
initiate US by renewal of her power
and crush us by her supremacy. We
will nto be taken in such a snare"
Premier Poincare declared Frances
conduct was of the simplest and
frankest nature possible without any
hidden motive.
Discuss Peace Treaty
Dealing with the peace treaty the
premier said the victors had in the
| course of some months remade the
map of the world, resuscitated some
nations and created others and had
altered frontiers.
France he added, neither re-
ceived nor asked any territorial
advantage in Europe. She simply
recovered what belonged to her
what had been stolen from her. But
she was told: Keep quiet: II you
agree not to remain too long on the
Rhine we will guarantee you against
| l..
Have no fear; you shall be indem
nified for all the damage you have
suffered She then signed with con.
| fldence a treaty with which she was
not very well satisfied but on which
at least she counted as a minimum
crumbIed To Dust
mot many months passed before
the finest stones Of the edifice
crumbled to dust. Our allies who
were the most keen in demanding
the prosecution of the kaiser and
his accomplices forgot their inten-
tions and were astonished when we
reminded them. Those who had in
sisted on a reduction Of the dura
tino of our occupation and who hal
offered US guarantee pacts-which
cient-withdrew, some of them fail
ing of which they had collaborated
and others repeated that their offer
was dependent upon the definite at
titude of the former"
The premier then dealt with Ger
many's refusal to pay her obl'ga-
tions, counting on the idea that time
would free her from them, would
weaken the solidarity of the allies
put their vigilance to sleep and sap
their spirit of resolution.
Orpanized Its Bankruptcy
Long before we decided to enter
the Ruhr and seize guarantees" he
said. "the Reich had systematically
organized its bankruptcy" If part OF
the population of Germany today
was reduced to beggary and another
Germany would have It so, he de-
impoverished, he insisted, only the
state and the middle classes. Ger
many herself remaining wealthy.
"Her immense resources" he
continued, have been scandalouslv
cornered by the great industrialists
and the biz bankers. who refuse to
rive anything to the. state. while
the state makes no serious effort to
comDel them to fulfill their duties
as citizens. Ort Of this arises the
apparent distress of the Reich"
He added that the peasantry and
the ls~oe l"nded proprietors also
were fourishing.
Premier Poincare reneated his
declaration that FCcce would hold
FER s-ra~antee until wholly paid. and
added: 1--WE are witnessing the final
| cpasmss NJ resistance"
Republic Is Tottering.
Cob'enz. November l. Unless
there is some indication soon tha'
efforts to establish an independent
Rhineland state have the eunport %
the general Donulation, the preseut
separatist movement may dissolve