Imperial Valley press., 1923-08-24
Continued from page y
CruX of Situation


uation rests ON the problem of the
Ruhr and the Rhineland,' Strese-
mann said. "We are ready for a
settlement of this question but
| have set for ourselves aims which
permits settlement only along GER
tain lines.
Gas L already have stated in
the reichstag, Germany wants to
| get back to work. She desires with
all her heart to see the forges and
mines of the Ruhr and the Rhine
land in full bloom.
"But work and freedom in this
connection are inseparable terms.
elf we again have disposal over
the Ruhr in administration, traffic
and the normal features of econom-
ic life, and return to legal condi-
tions in the Rhineland, then we
can work and pay.
"We stipulate further, however,
that the families driven into exile
and the inhabitants of the Ruhr
condemned by military courts shall
be restored to their homes and full
freedom and that Germany shall be
given breathing spell.
Ready For Judgment
Great Britain already has pass
ed judgment upon the legality of
the Ruhr occupation. We now are
ready to have judgment passed by
an international court, for we feel
such a court can only declare we
| have done what is for our good,
right and duty.
cat this point 1 would like to
make clear that any settlement
which aims at tearing the Rhine
land from the Reich will be op-
posed by Germany as by one man.
''The Rhineland represents Ger
many's soul; to tear it away from
us would be to Germany what a for
eign power s seizure of the New
England states or Virginia or New
York, hallowed by the footsteps of
American pioneers would mean to
America.
"And let me make clear couple
of other points.
cone hears abroad that Germany
wants to dodge her obligations.
That is a lie. We not only have
offered until it hurts, but have
agreed to let an international com
mission determine whether our
judgment in this respect is correct.
81 ask You as representative
of a nation which boasts fair play ,
is this not a sporting proposition!
"Have we not gone the limit
to satisfy our creditors'
Favors Hughes Plan
"We are still ready, however, TO
let an international commission
based on the principles outlined
by Mr.. Hughes set the limits of our
paying capacity.
"And l desire to anwser the
story that Germany pprposely dep
ressed her currency.
"The answer is: Could any ma
tion be so foolish as TO gamble
with initiation knowing the inevi-
table end of this is disruption?
"Right now we are striving our
utmost to correct at this late some
of the evils of inflated currency.
"This initiation is due to normal
causes, not to bad will. We. intend
to raise fund of foreign cur
rency and gold values here in the
hope of stilling the flood, of paper
money and putting the mark on
a more stable basis.
"Further, we must devote a fund
to the purchasing of foodstuffs, for
we realize empty stomachs often
drive people to desperate deeds.
Bad Winter Prospects
"One cannot view the forth
coming winter without feelings of
horror at best, for coal is very
scarce and the food situation, even
with good grain harvest, gives
cause for anxiety.
"This is no idle talk. / can refer
you to any of your American news
paper colleagues here for confir
nation Of my statements. Regard
ing the winter outlook you need
only TO visit the stores here to see
what has happened TO prices.
"The outside world has taken
much of its impression of Germany
from the Hotel Adlon and Unter
den Linden. The types one meets
there do not represent Germany.
They are types which developed as
an aftermath to the war in q land
of cheap currency.
"The real history of the coun-
try is depicted at the fire sides of
the middle and working classes.
frhau ehn.x, ,,n,, N Jsffaro,t Il