NATIONAL AFFAIRS
THE RUHR
Checkmate
The state of checkmate in the Ruhr continues. France believes that her occupation will make German passive resistance too expensive. Germany thinks that her policy of attrition will make the French "visit" to the Ruhr longer than her perse. Great Britain maintains her attitude of sceptical neutrality. *** No Weakening
The news from the occupied zone has been marked by muddling contradictions. The French declare that the resistance is weakening; then a counter-stroke from the Germans persuades them of the unreality of their pretensions. The Germans, with characteristic obstinacy, are getting on with the job, and, with the exception of propagandist squeals, they are not worrying much about who has the upper hand. The truth is that neither side is weakening. *** Economic Factors
The economic factors underlying the Franco-Belgian action are to be found more in the domestic conditions of the countries concerned rather than in the occupied region. The Ruhr mines are yielding comparatively little coal, and both France and Belgium are forced to import supplies at an enormous cost.
France has been suffering from strikes in her most important coal fields, and it will be some time before she recovers from the effect. Belgium is threatened by a strike which may paralyze not only her coal supplies but her iron industry.
Both countries face a daily rising expenditure of about $100,000 for the direct cost of occupation. The Germans, too, are being forced to expend large credits on coal and food, but their hindering tactics are not so costly as the Franco-Belgian Ruhr administration. *** Violence
Events show a marked tendency to violence, but on the whole nothing disastrous has occurred—accepting the situation as it stands. The French and Belgians have been very active. Prosecutions have been carried out on a large scale. Almost the whole of the Bochum Municipal Council was arrested for disobedience to French orders, but with certain exceptions they have been released. More than a thousand people have been arrested, and in most cases sentenced or fined for boycotting the troops. *** France Will Say
General Degoutte continues to warn Germany and the French Government continues to inform the world that it will not leave the Ruhr until Germany shows a reliable disposition to settle her reparations liability.
The French have succeeded in improving railway transportation. A direct service to Paris Began on February 26.
The customs cordon round the Ruhr area has been completed, and the French say that it is now impossible for the Germans to smuggle anything out of the enclosed district.
The Germans have complained bitterly about French brutality; about the prohibition of Wilhelm Tell at the theatres; about the expulsions of German officials from the Ruhr; and about the use of black troops. In connection with the last complaint, German contentions are backed up by first-hand unbiased evidence, despite French denials. *** German Resistance
The Berlin Government is backing passive resistance with all its resources, and the coal masters are urging the miners to limit the output to the needs of local consumption. German multi-millionaires have placed securities at the disposal of the Government for the purpose of fighting the "invader." The scenes of violence have all occurred in Bochum, where the French fired upon a crowd. This action has done much to stiffen the German resistance. The total casualties of the Ruhr occupation to date are: 9 Germans killed and 13 wounded. *** Intervention Proposed
From the outside of the pandemonium, Britain shyly moots the question of Anglo-American intervention. From another source comes the suggestion to refer the Ruhr and Reparations to the League of Nations. Neither of these suggestions are feasible until the opposing sides come together prepared to negotiate. In the meantime peace in Europe is a fast fading vision. ***
A FRONTIER
Lithuania vs. Poland
The dying fires of the Polish-Lithuanian boundary dispute over Vilna do not signify that the heat is dead. An armistice agreed upon by both sides is only a lull in the hostilities that have been adding their quota to wrecking the peace equilibrium maintained with such immense difficulty in Europe.
Only a few days ago, Lithuania was shelling the Polish front and many casualties have been reported. It is to Poland's credit that she has refrained as far as possible from taking any steps calculated to aggravate an already serious position. As the final decision with reference to the demarcation line between Poland and Lithuania rests with these government, it is at least comforting that they had the good sense to come together with the intention of trying to settle their dispute by peaceable methods.
In 1920 a dispute arose over the boundary line and a neutral zone was agreed upon, pending final settlement by the Council of the League of Nations. It was not until February 3 of this year that an equitable decision was arrived at. The Poles, acting under the instructions from the League occupied that part of the neutral zone allotted to them, but met with stiff resistance from the Lithuanians. Strictly speaking, Lithuania has incurred financial and economic penalties by resisting the decision of the League, although the time is hardly opportune for the enforcement of such a punishment. From a legal point of view, however, neither country is bound to accept outside arbitration.
The usual rumors are current stating that Soviet Russia is causing the dissension. This time, however, there is some foundation. Tchitcherin, Soviet Foreign Minister, in a note to the Lithuanian Government offering mediation, says: "My government is distributed over the new complications arising between Lithuania and Poland." This is legitimately regarded as a bid for power by the Russians. Poland has, however, refused to accept Bolshevik mediation; so, after all, Tchitcherin may be looking for other means to secure his end.
