Evening star., 1923-02-04
Troops Occupy Four Railroad
Stations in Move Toward
Cologne Bridgehead.
VALLEY DRIFTING BACK
TO REGULAR ROUTINE
Possibility of General Uprising
Against Yoke of Invaders
More Remote.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
DUESSELDORF. February 3.--The
French have enlarged their area OF
occupation toward the Cologne
bridgehcad. occupying railway sta
tions at Vohwinkel. Lennep. Berg
and Bonn. virtually surrounding Ell
berfcld. These places were leaks in
the French ring around the Ruhr
through which trains might pass to
the south. The troops used in the
new occupation zone were taken from
Dortmund, which is virtually evacu-
stcd.
Nine carloads of coal, ostensibly
consigned 10 Italy. were stopped by
the French AT Vohwinkel until the
arrival of representative of the
Italian high commissioner at Coblenz
10 determine whether the bills of
lading were bona fide.
People Becoming Reconciled.
The situation in the Ruhr is drift
ing back to the regular routine. The
population, workers and tradesmen,
are gradually becoming outwardly
reconciled to the presence of the oc-
of the functionaries appears to be
faltering. The opposition Of the in
dustrial magnates. however, shows no
sign of abating. The possibility of a
general rising against the French
seems very remote.
Incidents of violence may continue,
such as the killing OF d German
civilian by French sentry at
Brechten last night. but conditions
appear 10 be settling down until one
of the warning parties abandons the
economic battle. 1t is reported the
Brechten civilian who was killed fail
ed to halt when challenged. Some of
the sentries are rather nervous. One
of them pointed his bayonet in busi-
nesslike fashion when a correspond
ent strolled past his outpost last
night. although addressed in French
and shown a pass.
Barges Start Down Rhine.
SiXty-six barges loaded with coal
according to the official figures. have
been dispatched to StrassbourS. and
siXty-three more which were contis-
Gated are lying along the Rhine
awaiting tugs to tow them up the
river. The barges average about 1000
tons each. Ten tugs with French
crews are now working up and down
the Rhine.
The coal forwarded by rail into
France is about half the amount floated:
thus the total coal the French have got
out of the Ruhr since the occupation is
q little more than 200. 900 tons, whereas
under the old system they would have
received 10000 in the same period.
Gen. Payot explains that the services
are hampered by the necessity of re-
placing the strikers. insuring food sup
plies. and for similar reasons. but he
expects TO move very much larger guam
titles of coal daily to France the be-
ginning of next week.
Abandon Coal Trains.
The Germans are not attempting to
approach the French control posts, and
run the coal trains to within a few
miles of the occupation eastern and
southern frontier. where they aban-
don them, causing much congestion.
The locks are completely under
French control in both the Rhine
and Lippe canals. The French also
control the high roads leading into
unoccupied Germany
The occupying authorities have as
sured the German officials and
workers who have disregarded Ber-
Inns strike orders that their salaries
will be paid if they continue to dis
charge their duties Many of the
Germans have elected to remain.
Trying TO Avert Famine.
Should famine occur in the Ruhr,
which the French are trying their
utmost to prevent, there might per-
haps be localized bread riots, but the
French have the military enforcement
of law and order well in hand
Two questions have been upper
most before and since the occupa-
tion: First, Can France occupy and
hold the Ruhr with military forces
without bloodshed? And, second.
Will occupation prove an economic
and financial success?
The first query has been answered
in the affirmative. 1t may require
weeks or months before the second