The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
GREAT WESTERN POWERS

that Germany is ready to welcome ar investigation of her financial posi- tion and that the allies. with Amer ican cooperation, are preparing to make such an examination are the most significant and hopeful German developments of the year.
 France went into the Ruhr early In 1923 to obtain reparations payments which Germany declared herself un- able to make. The silent warfare Of passive resistance followed. Resist ance crumb bled before French troops when Berlin could no longer grant huge doles of the Ruhr population.
 Then came the Rhineland republic move. which later spread to the Paia- tinate Republics" were proclaimed throughout the zones. Berlin said the republicans were subsidized py movement failed.
 GerIin, however, discussed grant ing partial autonomy to the zone. The question is as yet unsettled. put German spirit has crystalized in op- position to sLch action.
 France scored a victory when Ruhr industrialists gave in, and signed an agreement to make separations de- liyeries in kind. The agreement ter inmates in April. France may nope to make an agreement with Berlin to continue deliveries thereafter.
 Antiallied feeling famed In Ger many as the war of passive resist ance became more bitter. Berlin re- fused to assist the allied military control commission. This provoked international dissension. France dis cussed seizing Frankfort as guar antee.
 Germany successfully crushed the Hittler-Ludendorff monarchist revolt in Bavaria. The southern state how ever, is ruled by Dictator Von Kahr, who Is Ion the outs" with Berlin Germany herself has a natlonahs' dictator, General Won Seeckt.
 Cabinets have risen and toppled with rapidity, reflecting Germany political chaos. Herr Marx Is now chancellor.
 Berlin successfully put down com munist disorders in Saxony and Thur ingia, and crushed an incipient red revolution in Hamburg. The republic also weathered the monarchist storm caused by the return of ex-Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern. Ger man money crashed badly during the year, but a gold basis is being intro duced, and a sounder financial sys- tenn looms.
 Out of this comes tho realization that Germany, despite weakness and distress, was strong enough to wealth I poets of examining finances, plans for Franco-German discussion or reparations and hopes that full dress allied investigation of repara- tions may result, indicate that bet ter days may be ahead for Berlin. despite immediate economic distress. ENGLAND "MUDDLEs THROUGH"
 Britain, meantime, has "muddled fhrO,,Cbn In 0h q a af e rtGti iC British fashion. Squabbles with France marked the year. Britain has been frequently reported on the verge of a break with Paris. Today, however, the situation is easier.
 Britain has drawn closer to the United States in the past year. A treaty, extending the limit for seiz- ure and search of rum runners off the American coast, is pending. Britain is paying America on her war debt.
 Great Britain and the United States carried on communications which re- suited In the proposal for an inter allied discussion of reparations France baked at this plan, which therefore failed.
 Unemployment Is England's great problem. Premier Baldwin called a general election on a platform de- manding a protective tariff. Lloyd George, returning from America, Baldwin on platform of free trade. Labor made huge gains in the cleo ton. The year 1924 may see Ramsay Macdonald, laborite, as premier of a labor government in Britain. This is the most significant political de- velopment of the year in Britain.
 The imperial conference, in which nf R~ft tiC6 la,, 1- overseas net here, made grave de- cisions on British policies, recom- mending favorably on Baldwin's dec laration that England must have an air force equal to that of the next strongest power. which is France.
 An outstanding internal reform In Britain during the year was bill their husbands on the ground of in fidelity alone. Previously 1t had been necessary for wives to prove cruelty or assertion as well.
 Another was raising to IS the age at which minors could drink in pub lio houses. This was a victory for Lady Astor, an American, who backed the move.
 As result of the imperial confer ence, preferential treatment was ac- corded the British dominions on i'm ports of few additional products dried fruits, tobacco and timed sal mon. all of interest," to the United States.
 The Irish Free State has achieved Hunger strikes of imprisoned Slnn Feiners caused anxiety to the govern ment, however. Ulster has had a quiet year.
 FRANCE FINDS SUCCESS
 hA IrrAra aah i, o1 <l T through" successfully. John O'Brien. Paris correspondent. reports how France slowly frightened her hold on the occupied areas early In the year. Poincare constantly reiterated his slogan. Germany must pay before we quit the Ruhr."
 The strain of the occupation has been felt, however, and the franc has dropped heavily during the year. American tourists, spending large sums In Paris in the summer, did much to stay its fall.
 Poincare's policies have repeatedly been given votes of confidence of the Chamber of Deputies.
 Overseas France is building up her North African and Indo- Chinese do- mains. She is worried over the Span ish-Italian Mediterranean pact. (which seems to threaten her Mediterranean communications.
 She has strengthened her bonds of union with Poland, Jugoslavia, Rl- mania and Czechoslovakia, but has had differences of opinion with Eng land and Italy.
 Belgium has been quiet and pros- porous throughout the year, as has Holland, Denmark and the Scandi- navian countries.
 Belgium, busy in industry, has fol- lowed the cue of France, whom she supports on German policies. There have been indications that she leaned