The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-02
FRENCH PREMIER
 RE GENES N0YES OF WASH|NGTO LIN
Expresses Pleasure at Meet ing President of Asso-
 ciated Press

PARIS. April 1.-(By Associated ss.)-Premier Poincare yesterday received Frank B Moves of Washing ton. president of the Associated Press, and subsequently, authorized the following statement:
 T was glad to meet the president of the Associated Press. Mir. Moves whose sentiments with regard to France have long been known to me.
 After the long voyage he has made around the world I am glad he has been able to spend some days in Paris and so be in position per- sonal1y to inform his countrymen on certain of the questions that seem most to preoccupy the American pub. lie.
 Efforts have been made to distort the reasons for and the nature of the policy followed by the French gov ernment when it decided to occupy the Ruhr basin It is by virtue of the treaty of Versailles and in con- sequence of the defaults of Germany, certified by the separations commis- sion under this treaty. that we went into the, Ruhr to bring about final settlement of the reparation prob lem.
 Expresses Regret.
 We regret that not all of our al lies participated in this policy of coercion, which. then, would have been carried out under less difficult conditions and made the pressure upon recalcitrant Germany not only more effective, but would have has tened results But when the ,t,cupa- tion Of the Ruhr shall have resulted in compelling Germany to make pre- else serious propositions. it will be in accord with our allies that we will settle the reparation problem.
 However, profiting by three years of experience, during which all means of persuasion have been employed vainly by the allies in efforts to in spire Germany with a will to pay her debts. we are thoroughly resolved not to relinauish. in return for mere promises, the guarantees that we save seized and not to evacuate the Ruhr except as payments are made to us and in proportion to them. Not Selfish Aim.
 Tt is not. then. selfish aims that we pursue in the Ruhr. It has been charged that We harbored thoughts of annexation or conquest in send ing troops to the right bank of the Rhine. Long since these wild accusa tlons. against which protest the consciences of all Frenchmen. who seek only their duo and the recon struction of their ruined property have been disposed of. In this set clement we cannot accept any media tion between France and Germany. knowing only too well that any at tempts at mediation would only az gravate and prolons the resistance of Germany. Only direct official prop ositons from Germany can be taken into consideration.
 T have, moreover. noticed with the greatest satisfaction in the Ameri- can press increasing evidence of sympathy for the energetic actions we have been obliged to take. It seems to me that l have proof that the American people. guided by that lucid intelligence which so happily affection that will not be effaced and feeling for France that touching affection that will not be affaced from their hearts. understand our action better day by day.
 "i have the firmest confidence in success. in spite of the provocation to which the nationalist party and the magnates have recourse, when they see the failure of the policy of resistance to which they have tried vainly to rally the mass of the Ruhr population.
 Again a grave incident has oc- cured at Essen, where a French de- tachment. surrounded and menaced by a hostile crowd had to use their arms. The responsibility for the blood spilled will rest upon those who tirelessly pursue their acts of in citement in. the hope of producing clashes between troops and the working population.
 Nothing will divert France from her determined course. She will con- tinue on with the same patience. the same calmness. until the collapse of German resistance"