Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-10
INDUSTRY PICKS Up
..0UTS|DE RUHR AREA
SIX Months Occupation In.
creaSeS Work in Unoccu-
pied Germany.
By GEORGE wITTE.
by cable to The Star and Chicago Daily Ne
ConYright. 1a.3

by Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright. 1928.
BERLIN, July 10.-Although the
Ruhr occupation has lasted six
months. Industrial and economic life
IN unoccupied Germany, instead of
suffering from lack of coal and other
Ruhr products. has picked up con-
slderably since January, according to
Ernest Becker. minister of economics.
When, half n year ago, the French
invaded the Ruhr," says Herr Becker,
they cut off from the rest of Ger
many So per cent of the country's
coal production. 80 per cent of the
coke production, rs per cent of the
pig iron industry and so per cent of
the aniline dye production. Fifty
three per cent of Germany's freight
traffic conferred in the Ruhr and so
per cent of our inland shipping. In
many quarters abroad. where these
figures were known, it was believed
that Germany would collapse very
soon.
Plenty of Fuel.
How erroneous was this view has
been shown in the last few months.
Some difficulties have arisen as to
the value OF our money abroad. Our
foreign trade has dropped off, the
fluctuations in the value of the mark
being a great handicap in the pur-
chase of raw materials abroad. The
cost of living has gone up and we
have had some minor internal dis
turbances. But, on the other hand,
everywhere in unoccupied Germany
factory chimneys are smoking and
willing hands are keeping the wheels
of industry in motion. We have
plenty of fuel, iron ore and other
raw materials.
All of this shows that neither to-
day nor for many months to come
can We be forced to abandon our
just policy of passive resistance,
which has united employer and en-
ploye as they had never been united
before.
The results of the Ruhr occupa-
ders of Germany. The absence of
Westphalian coal and iron from the
world market has sent up prices
only few foreign industries have
derived benefit from the occupation
while many have suffered on account
of the high costs that have resulted
from the shutting off of Ruhr prod
ucts.
Increases Unemployment.
Besides, Germans diminished ca
pacity to import goods from abroad
has caused an increase in unemploy-
ment In many countries. German
American commercial relations Offer
dh lHSldHCt Oh now foreign countries
have been aft ected. Before the RuhI
occupation our relations with the
United States We're gradually APP
proaehing their pre-War status. Since
the occupation enormous quantities
of dyes made especially for use in
America have lain in warehouses in
Cologne and Ludwigshaven, their de-
livery having been prevented by the
French authorities.
The latest foreign trade statistics
show how American trade is being
affected by the cuts we have been
obliged to make in imports. 1t will
be from this time on that the real
dangers of this continuation of war
in peace time will become fully APP
parent. As yet it is impossible to
estimate in figures the damage done
TO Germany's productive capacity
But if the occupation of the Ruhr con-
tinues the figures will be tremen-
dously high.
'Of course. the countries that are
carrying out the occupation policy
are suffering more than they are
willing to admit. 1t would be to their
interest to end the occupation. Ger
many has announced repeatedly that
she is willing to negotiate. She is
ready now"