The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-02
BRITAIN To ASK
WORLD ACTION
On RUHR
Baldwin and Curzon Speeches
Indicate More Aggressive
English Policy.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

the publication Of their part of the
correspondence.
His Majesty's government enter
tains the hope that the publications
of these papers might assist in de-
termining the real dimensions of the
problem with which the allies are
confronted, and might convince the
world of the imperative necessity for
prompt and united action to deal
with it,"
Lord Curzon emphasized the need
for haste when he said:
ut is apparent many weeks might
easily be consumed in preliminary
exchange of opinions between the
allies before any effective steps
might be taken for terminating the
present situation. Great Britain,
while regarding the interests of the
allies as bound up with her own,
and, while shrinking from any ac-
ton that might be thought inimical
to the allied union, yet holds firmly
to the view that the problem now
before all of them is one that cannot
be evaded. And, while the allies
might be occupied in exchanging
views in a spirit OF undated friend
illness upon this or that detail, or pro-
posal, the European situation, car
fying with it all prospects of repara-
tons payments to which the allies
are equally entitled, might sink into
irretrieVable ruin"
Situation Grave.
Viscount Grey, former foreign
secretary, who followed Lord Cur.
zon in the upper house, character
lied the Preparations statement as
Every grave
In the House OF Commons, after
Premier Baldwin had ceased speak.
ing, Ramsay Macdonald, laborite,
and leader of the opposition, ex-
pressed disappointment over the
nature of the French and Belgian
replies. Macdonald was Echeered as
he said:'
but it is a satisfaction that the
government has decided to devise
policy of it's own which will stand
up for the views and the interests
of Great Britain. The government
is to be praised for dropping the
negative policy"
Premier Baldwin went into
greater detail on the Government s
viewpoint than Lord Curzon.
Germany Must GIVE up.
"I deprecate the term PRO but
If we are pro anything it is pro
British" continued the premier.
I'VE want to do nothing to
strengthen German resistance. The
longer Germany resists the more
hopeless the situation will become
But occupation is cumulatively
hurting trade of the world. Upon
a settlement depends financial
stability.
Great Britain will leave no stone
unturned to bring together and keep
together the allied forces and to
secure from Germany all that is
due in Justice"
Baldwin said his statement had
been made because he wanted a
rapid settlement of the Preparations
issue. He added.
"Ruhr occupation is a symptom
of a disease which might be in
herited by many nations of the
world. If the British people should
feel that the wounds of Europe
are being kept open insteCd of
healed there might ensue the last
thing in the world I want to see
an arrangement from health,
! hope nothing of the kind happens,
| but 1t is warm friend of France
that thinks Of this friendship.
Will Sign Anything.
IF Germany is allowed to col
lapse she will sign anything and
/ default again. If a settlement Is
made it must be made in the face
of strong Industrial Germany. We
must have either a broken country
not paying reparations and ruinihe
| world trade, or country powerful
lindustrially
Premier Baldwin, in winding UP
| the reparations debate, defended the
course of former Premier A. Bonar
| Law and expressed British friend
ever, that Great Britain has a
| right to state her views. He hoped
| that the frank statement today OF
! British difference would aid an
agreement.
Austen Chamberlain pointed to
the gravity of break with France
which, he said, would be encourage
ment to Germany. He called the
| policy of the government danger
GUS"
Former Premier Asquith attacked
the secrecy Of the reparations dis
cussiOns, demanding an explicit
statement of the government pro
! posals.
Debate in Upper House.
Lord Curzon, during debate in the
upper house, that followed his
statement, said he did not expect
the situation to take a grave turn
lie declared reperations concern not
only France and Belgium but have
become an international question
winch Britain no longer can ignore
The right Of payment and re
| spect Of inter-allied debts cannot
be. swept aside" he added.
Lord CurZon believes that the
situation in the Ruhr is not clari
| Tying, but is getting. worse.
replying to suggestion from
Lord 'Blrkcnhead, Lord Curzon said
that withdrawal of the British
forces from the Rhine would be
abrogation of a duty to the world
He denied that Britain sought tC
exasperate France. He called "un
fair" a question as to what Brit
ain will do next, adding:
But l can reply that I really
! do not know"
Lloyd George Criticizes.
Former Premier Lloyd George
lhdulged in the House of Com
mons debate. He said British rep