Evening star., 1923-09-11
Ruhr Peace in SIGHT,

Definite advance has been made to-
ward a settlement OF the French
German trouble. In a quiet way, ever
since the recent change in the chan
cellorship at Berlin the German gov
ernment has been moving in the direc-
ton of an adjustment. Now it is an
nounced that the populations in the
occupied areas of the Rullr have been
ordered to discontinue their passive
resistance to the French and Belgian
authorities. 1t is also announced that
conferences are being held at various
points, a. CoblentE. where SHINES is
meeting with French iudustriaIists; at
-Wiesbaden, where German industrial
lists are comforting with French capi-
atalists. and at Liege. where German,
French, Belgian and British repre-
sentatives are in session discussing
the situation. Meanwhile, it is expect
ed that German official envoy will
be named to take up directly with Pre-
mier Poincare certain aspects of the
situation. looking to a MODIFICATION of
the French official declarations per-
mitting the adoption at Berlin OF a
position of satisfaction which will not
put the government there in jeopardy
from domestic reactions.
The Ruhr problem has been from
the outset one of Industrial advantage.
The political aspect given to it by the
French has been in a sense camou-
f1age. Po;ncare has been compelled by
the domestic situation to continue to
demand full satisfaction, while Cuno at
Berlin was officially setting up the plea
of impossibility in meeting the French
demands. Behind the scenes the indus
trial magnates of not only France and
Germany but of Great Britain as we'll
were comforting. negotiating, dicker-
ing. At one time danger OF a break
between England and France ap-
peared. The governments at London
and Paris were bristling A crisis
seemed to be imminent Suddenly this
cloud was dissipated, and there was
no more talk Of "a breach. The real
factors of the case had functioned, the
industrial leaders had checked the de-
velopment of a political issue.
> When Cuno retired from the chan.
cellorship at Berlin and Strssemann
succeeded it was indicated that the
change had been made to the end OF
putting through program of settle
ment. Stresemann, it was hinted, had
the support of the powerful capitalist
group that controls Germany. He has
steered a skillful course through the
troubled waters. He has avoided MAX
ing any false moves. He has estab-
iished relations with the socialists and
has today in all likelihood a dependa-
bic reichstag support Back of him
are SHINES and his fellow magnates-
In Germany the question is which
group is to control that of SHINES or
the opposition. Seemingly these two
groups have reached a basis of agree
.ment.
Remains the possibility of a reac-
ttion in Germany, toward communism
or monarchism. Stresemann must con.
tinue to hold the support of both
wings in order to carry through the
program of adjustment with France
and Belgium. Yet he must not yield
to either side. He has thus far shown
himself capable of managing the diff
cult situation. Now he is at the crucial
point Of his course He must ease
over into the actual negotiations, with
ia minimum Of shock to the national
ist'' feeling. The order to discontinue
passive resistance in the Ruhr marks
the first move in this direction. If
there is no sharp. reaction to this
step the rest Of the procedure will be
less difficult
Unless some sharp repereussion
takes place. in Germany or In France,
as. each yields to the point of direct
, and definitive negotiations, it is prob
able that the Ruhr blockade, which
has cost both sides enormously and
has gravely affected the industrial in
terests OF all other countries, will be
brought TO an end Germany Amean-
while has before 1t the extremely diff.
cult task of rehabilitating her cur
rency. In view Of the sterilization of
the currency in Austria. however, the
problem at Berlin would seem to be
not beyond solution.