Evening star., 1923-12-16
/, Opening of Negotiations Ex-
pected to Clear Way for
Better Understanding.
P0INCARE WILL MEET
MARX OFFER HALF WAY
Will Reduce Invading Army if
Guarantees Are Salts
factory.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS, December l5.-A formal
demand by the German government
Tor the reopening of conversations
with France respecting the relations
of the two governments as affected
by the occupation of the Ruhr was
presented to Premier Poincare today,
first verbally and then in writing 1t
opens what is thought in well in
formed circles to be a method of ap-
preaching the subject which may
bring about some clear understand
ihg between the two countries.
Premier Poincare. according to as
surarces in official circles. is quite
ready to consider in the most liberal
spirit any proposals the Germans may
have to make that concern the rela-
tions of France and Germany. He
will advise with Premier Theunis
of Belgium concerning any questions
raised as to the joint occupation and
Will ask the Germans to take up
with the reparations commission any
matters concerning the interest of all
the allies in the reparations field.
The proposal of the German gov
ernment is interpreted here as a
move through which Germany hopes
TO regain control Of the economic in
terests of the Ruhr and the Rhine
land and the railroads in those areas
prompted by the loss of prestige to
Berlin from the continued direct re-
lations between the Ruhr industries
and the authorities of occupation and
by the separatist movement in the
Rhineland.
The reception Premier Poincare Is
likely TO accord any requests for let
ting up his grip on the Ruhr is
thought in well informed circles here
TO depend on what the Germans de-
lnand-whether their demands are
likely to diminish the value and
safety of the pledges the allies have
taken in hand. If the Germans do
not go too far in their proposals the
pemier Is said to be ready to meet
them half way. He would be glad to
diminish the cost of the Ruhr occu-
patton, thus cutting this ground for
complaint from under his opposition
in France. Thus he might be inclined,
IL is said. to withdraw a considerable
proportion of the troops, provided the
Germans gave some satisfactory as
surance that the Ruhr contracts
would not be interfered with and that
the Berlin government would coop
crate in making them effective.
, The French premier, however, will
turn a deaf ear, it is asserted, to any
suggestions for releasing his hold on
the Ruhr without ample guarantees
that he is losing nothing in SO do
ing.
II Is understood one of the German
suggestions is that sort of diplomatic
mission be formed to deal with certain
questions, especially interesting to Ger
many and the occupying powers, this
mission to function alongside the ex-
pert committees Of the reparations COM
mission but this is regarded in French
circles as unnecessary, as they con-
slider the mediums for the discussion
of these questions are the foreign offices
an Paris, Brussels and Berlin.
The French press is vague and nom
eommital as to the outcome Of the pro-
PpSeu HeSOtidliohS, dPp"1c 1chIy oeiH6
rather doubtful as to the outcome, how
ever. The Temps points out that the
5lrst essential to their success is Ger
man political tranquility, together with
monetary stability. THAT is why we
doubt that the administrative demands
from Berlin are likely TO prove henef-
fcent," it says. Monetary reform does
not appear likely to come from Berlin
at the present"