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French in Essen.
German Obstinacy.
LONDON, January 15.
The correspondent of the "Daily Ex
press" at Essen says:—
The situation has changed suddenly, and
has become most critical. There is now
a complete rupture between the French
authorities and the German industrial
leaders. The joint Franco-German Com
mission met to-day and discusscd a pro
visional agreement, under which coal was
to be supplied on the French paying the
wages of the miners, but the Germans
announced the receipt of an order from
the Coal Controller at Berlin forbidding
the mine owners to make further de
liveries on any conditions. The French
peremptorily demanded prompt deliveries
In compliance with Reparation Commis
sion's demands. The Germans declared
that thay must obey Berlin. The Trench
left the room immediately, and drove off
to consult Genera! Dcgcutia. In the
meanwhile the Frcnch forces had com
pletely occupied Boehum by noon.
" Deutschlanti uber Alles."
The French state that all previous agree
ments are cancelled, and they retain com
plete liberty of action. Half an hour's
1 complete strike was observed through
. out the Ruhr in the forenoon. The shops
were closed and a largo demonstration
was held at Essen. Studens, business
[ men, and workers assembled in front of
j the Town Hall, and sang, "Doutschland
| uber alles" and other songs, with a refrain
[ "We shall march victoriously against
France."
i The mounted police unsuccessfully at
| tempted to disperse the crowd. Amidst
the strike the populace observed two
minutes of silence ordered from Berlin for
' meditation "on the terrible consequences
of France's outrage."
$