Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-08-31

| and the other powers interested in mid
week and was found as predicted, to
be restatement of the unyielding at
titude of France. Its politeness is in
marked contrast to the CurZon note,
and its tirmness Is no whit less. With
extraordinary skill and adroltness,
every point made by CurZon is met
and refuted, and the French position
is set forth more explicitly than ever
before. AS well summarized by a
Paris correspondent, the note declares
gotiations with the allies refuses to
substitute any other body for the rep
arations commission, insists that Ger
many must continue payments in kind
during the cash moratorium necessary
for the rehabilitation of her finances,
refuses to treat with Germany until
| passive resistance In the Ruhr has
ceased, refuses to evacuate the Ruhr
except in proportion to reparations
payments received. is willing to accept
as minimum 26,OOO.OOO.OOO gold
marks (S6,1SS,OO0,0O0). plus sufficient
" ppANS " pay uCDLS W
Great Britain and the United States,
recognizes these debts, but refuses to
pay them until she has been reim-
bursed by Germany for the war devas-
tations. proposes that Germany shall
pay in the briefest possible time 3D.
OOO,0O0,OOO gold marks ts7.41S, ,OO0.-
0OO). corresponding to the actual
French ard Belgian damages, and
wants the rest of the German debt
and the whole question of war debts
postponed for consideration after this
first payment has been effected.
The occupation of the .Ruhr was
made obligatory, in Premier Poincare's
opinion, by what he calls the deliber-
ate debasement Of Germany's finances
with the avowed intention of escaping
payment of reparations; but he again
denies any intention of annexing the
Ruhr.
The premier replied pointedly to
Curzon's intimation that Great Brit
ain may soon be obliged to ask
France to pay her war debt. He
says:
France has never repudiated her
debts and never will, but she is con-
vinced that no British government will
ever apply to an ally the pressure that
the London cabinet does not find 1t
possible to apply today to the former
enemies Of France"
No British official comment on Pom
cares reply has been made yet, but
the London press fails to find much
encouragement In 1t. Prime Minis
ter Baldwin and his cabinet will not
meet for several days, and in any
case precipitate action by the gov
ernment is not to be expected. The
Paris press. almost unanimously sup
porting Poincares position, apparently
believes the entente has come to an
end. but does not seem utterly cast
down by that.
1t is believed that Mr.. Baldwin and
n. Poincare will soon meet for a per.
sonal discussion of the whole repara-
tions problem.
G ECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
~ MELLON, who returned from his
extended trip In Europe, is rather opti-
mistic concerning the situation there
and believes the reparations and other
serious problems will be satisfactorily
solved. He found both England and
France fairly prosperous. and does not
think Germany will stage a revolution
or become communistic. because the
Germans are a people Of great organiz-
ing and constructive force. While ad-
mitting the occupation Of the Ruhr
has not accomplished the results
sought, Mr.. Mellon does not seem to
blame the French for their course.
!0yER here in the United States the
" matter Of chief concern just now
is the prospective strike Of the anthra-
cite miners on September l. The par
ley between their leaders and the rep
resentatives Of the operators at Attain
tic City collapsed last week and 1t
seems that only some, as yet undeter-
mined. steps by the government can
keep the mines running. When the
conference broke up. Chairman Ham
mond Of the coal commission conferred
with President Coolidge and then. with
the other members Of the commission,
began preparation Of that body's re-
port fixing the responsibility for the
threatened strike and making recon-
mendations as to the course Of action
to be taken by the government. Presi-
dent Coolidge next summoned F. R.
Wadleigh. federal fuel distributor. and
Acting Chairman Aitchison Of the In
terstate commerce commission. to the