Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-04
PARIS REJECTSPLE
Of LONDON CABINET
FOR PEACE IN RUHR

~NONO
ciated Press.) - Great Britain and
France stand even further apart in
thoir attitudes toward Germany than
the British people, and probably the
world at large, have understood.
This seems to be the conclusion
drawn from the explanations Prime
Minister Baldwin and Lord Curzon,
the foreign secretary, gave the two
houses of parliament today of the
position resulting from the latest
British attempt to lay the founda-
tons Of a united policy.
The ministers revealed that the
latest communications from France
ana Belgium furnished no material
for an allied answer to the German
repacation proposals, and they
brought to light a surprising dead
lock in the correspondence. Neither
the French nor the Belgian reply,
they stated, even mentioned the draft
note to Germany which Great
Bditain had submitted to the two al
lied governments. Apparently the
French and Belgian communica tons
were limited to replying to Great
Rritain's covering note sent with the
draft, or dealt only in generalities.
The British spokesman acknowl-
edged the cordial spirit in which the
allies had worded their communica-
tons. Ministers laid emphasis upon
the fact that Italy had expressed gen.
eral agreement with the British po-
sition. But they indicated clearly
that they saw no hope for joint ac-
ton, and they pointed out directly
that while the allies were exchang-
ing views with undated friendIiness
the european situation might sink
into "irretrievable rain
/ The British government proposes
to publish its own share of the cor
respondence, and is asking France
| and Belgium for permission to pub
ash their replies. This publication,
It was indicated, will constitute an
appeals 10 the public opinion of the
| world.
whether France will wish to be a.
party to that appeal remains to be
| seen. Correspondents in France. rep
| resentlng English newspapers say
ehat the French government will
prefer to adhere TO Premier Poin.
care recent policy of secrecy.
Goaded by the criticisms of Lord
Blrkenhead, Lord Curzon did some
pam talking in the house of lords
tnls afternoon, quite different from
the calm phrases of his prepared
formal address delivered this morn
ing.
The foreign secretary said that
instead of seeing Preparations coming
out OF the Ruhr, the British govern
ment saw all chance of anv repara-
tons being whitfield away before
our very eyes" He remarked that
other people, besides the French and
BeIgIans, had some Preparations com
ing to them, and, therefore, could
not stand to one side and let France
ana Belgium carry out whatever
policy they might desire.
Il speak not merely of our right
to interfere, and that right to in.
terfere rests not only upon our share
OF separations, asserted Lord Cur.
zon, but also upon the rights which
we possess in respect to the paw
ment of interallied debts, which is a
matter of supreme importance and
| winch cannot be set on one side as
If it did not exist.
eve see Germany rotting to ruin.
lapsing into irreparable decay, car
rying with it all prospects Of. eco
nomlc recovery, not merely for Ger.
many but for Europe.
when we looked at our own posi-
ton at home, we saw that what was
passing in the ,Ruhr was telling
upon almost every industry in this
country. And, after a few brief
weeks Of activity due to the pur-
chases of coal in Great Britain when
the situation in the Ruhr first be-
gan, we saw the dark hand of this
tragedy clutching at the throat of
almost every industry in this coun-
try.
eff we do not see it now, we shall
see it in the course of the winter.
The effect of the Ruhr occupation
will be felt in almost every cottage
in. this country. And, because we
noted this circumstance, because we
felt it our duty to these supreme in
terests to take action to intervene,
We have been tainted by Lord Birk-
enhead with having reversed our
policy"