San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-12
Once Prosperous Region
Presents Picture Of
Desolation Now.
TALK OF A REPUBLIC
Senaratist Movement
Grows as Only Hope Of
Saving Rhineland.
by HIRAM n. MODERwELL.
Special Cable to The San Antonio Light
and The Chicago Daily News.
Copyright 1923.


Berlin, Aug. 1.-THE Ruhr now
presents a desolate picture as never
before since occupation. What has. NOT
been ruined by the struggle between
nations has been ruined by the strus-
gle between classes.
| A detailed report shows that idle
ness is general today in the smelling
and steel industries. Nearly all blast
furnaces now are banked or cold as
well as most coke ovens. Many of the
largest factories are working only four
hours daily or four days weekly. The
larger part of this work is unproduc-
| tive.
The gas and water supply is threat
ened in several Localities. The miners
in the Essen district have taken their
ftools to the surface and in some cases
have stopped the pumps. This idleness
is due in part to the French seizinx
the coal supplies or to the blockade OF
raw materials: to cutting connections
between departments of the factory !:
and in part to strikes for higher
| wages.
Unruly workers no longer pay any
attention to their leaders. Trouble Is
probable unless prices settle down
anu AlOuCl DtCOlltc premium.
Would Form Republic.
New rumors have it that Separatist
| meetings and demonstrations are
planned for Sunday in the Rhineland-
There is little doubt that these will
show a considerable increase in the
strength of the movement in the last
| fortnight. Careful German observers
concede that the Rhinelanders are be-
coming weary of the struggle and
| fearful of the chaos which threatens
Germany. More than ever now would
large portion of the population pas
sively accept republic inaugurated
| by an aggressive minority under
French protection as a refuge from
| French oppression. On the one hand
is civil war and on the other is starva-
ton.
Hitherto the movement has lacked
men prominent and respected in their
! communities, but now numerous per-
sons of standing are becoming SYM
| pathetic with this movement, not be-
cause they believe in the principle of
breaking up Germany but because
they believe il is their duty TO save
| the Rhineland at least from the fac
which apparently is everlasting the
| fatherland. 4
Causes OF Development.
These new developments are due to
several distinct causes: first the Gu
mulative effect of the French wearing
down process on the Inhabitants: sec
ond. conviction from Prime Minister
Baldwins latest speech that no hope
can be placed in England; third, Il
growing feeling that people in unoc-
cupied Germany have inadequateiy
supported the fighters against the
French in the Rhineland: fourth, the
threat Of social chaos following the
catastrophe fall of the mark.
At the same time the press in Paris
shows an increased interest in the
movement. Publicists apparently WITH
official inspiration are openly specu-
lating on the financial and political
organization of the expected republic.
1t would appear that the chief sup
porters of the movement. both Frenen
and German believe proclamation Is
near at hand.