The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
FRENCH USE MOST SEVERE ECONOMIC
 WEAP IN ON RUHR
Seizure of Customs Accom- pllShed- Complete Isolation of DuesSeIdorf Effected.
 Food Is Scarce
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Continued From Page 0ne) mans to make a suitable reparation offer.
 These measures will come into eff feet should Berlin refuse to come to terms and the Reich has been in- formed of them," General Degoulte. allied commander in chief in the oc- cupational zone, told the Associated Press today.
 Although Dr. Gruelsener, president of the Rhineland province, and the burgomasters of Dusseldorf and Essen have been notified of the com ing measures, they maintain their at titude of resistance. Immediately upon being informed of the inten- tions of the French, Dr. Gruetzner left for Cologne, where he went into conference with Cardinal Schulte, while Dr. Luther, burgomaster of Es- sen, conferred with the coal barons headed by Fritz Thyssen.
 Measures Have Effect
 The French determination to en- force stern measures after three weeks of threatening, but withal mild occupation, has already pro- duced symptoms of qualification and created a more receptive mood among the population.
 The working men, according to French authorities, are severely criticizing the railway men for strik ing, and hold them responsible for the increase in the cost of living through their failure to operate the food trains. The commuters also are suffering greatly and there are de mands among the population that the rail men resume work.
 The French today began requisi- tioning automobiles in the Duisburg- Ruhrort-Hamborn region. The coal magnates and industrial leaders who have been racing through the Ruhr in cars halted, and theiE machines confiscated.
 The fact that "a German owns an automobile" he continued, "does not make him immune from the present difficulties of travelling in the Ruhr, for which the Germans are respon- sible. If the magnates desire to visit neighboring cities they must start the trains again or walk"
 Correspondent Warned
 On the way from Dusseldorf to Duisburg this afternoon the corre- spondent passed many cars which had escaped from Duisburg and were speeding for Dusseldorf. where the requisition measures are not yet in force.
 Waving franticaly at the corre- spondents chauffeur, they warned him not to enter Duisburg, "or you lose your car.'
 Soldiers stationed at bridges and crossroads demanded passes, as in real war days, and anyone without authority from the acquisition office was halted and forced to alight. Many automobile parties were met dejectedly vending their way back to Duisburg afoot, or waiting for trans.
 There is much unemployment around the Duisburg steel plants. The heavy pail of black smoke nor |mally hanging over the city now is much thinned. Ruhrort, once the basiest Rhine port. is idle. bat the large Thyssen works at Hamborn are working to capacity.
 The animosity of the trades work men against the railwaymen has caused the Berlin government to placard the Ruhr with posters say ing: The rail men are not respon- sible for the increase in the cost of living. The French alone are respon- sible'
 The newspaper, volksblatt, pub lished 1t Hoerde, prints strong editorial today taking the population to task for their fraternizing atti tude toward the French" This re- buke is understood to be intended for the population of Bochum, which, up to this time has been known as one of the most antagonistic cities to the French.
 Workers in the state-owned coke ovens at Recklinghausen sent a dele gation to General Caron, commander of the thirty-s second army corps, ask ing permission. to return to work They have been on strike for 10 days. General Caron replied that the French had never interdicted from work and that, before he would re- ceive them, they must apologize in writing for the menacing and in sulting letters sent to the French military authorities during the strike. The apology was forthcom ing, and the workmen said they would resume their labors tomorrow Food is getting scarce in Duessel- dorf, and meat was selling tonight at from 5000 to 1000 marks a pound