Category: 100 Years Ago

12 OCTOBER 1923

Gustav Stresemann, the Chancellor of Germany, was authorised by President Friedrich Ebert to dissolve the Reichstag if the Emergency Law Bill was not passed. Owing to the Nationalists leaving the House when the Bill was put to the vote, so that the necessary quorum was not present, the Reichstag adjourned for a day.

The Imperial Conference discussed the work of the League of Nations after hearing an address on the subject by Lord Robert Cecil. The general tone of discussion was most favourable to fullest support being given to the League.

11 OCTOBER 1923

At the Imperial Economic Conference, Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame revealed the British Government’s proposal to assist in the acceleration of Dominion development schemes in their initial stages by the grant of part interest.

A further attempt was made by divers to penetrate the underground workings in the Redding Colliery, but the effort had to be abandoned owing to the road being blocked.

David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, was awarded the freedom of Toronto.

10 OCTOBER 1923

The British Government offered to the Dominions at the Imperial Economic Conference a number of important concessions in the matter of Imperial Preference, affecting preserved fruit, canned fruit, sugar and tobacco.

The Insurance Act Committee of the British Medical Association have rejected the proposals of the Ministry of Health with regard to the capitation fees to be paid to doctors under the Insurance Act.

The “menace” to Protestantism in Scotland caused by the large immigration of Roman Catholics from Ireland was discussed at the Scottish Protestant Congress.

9 OCTOBER 1923

It was reported that Franco-Belgian authorities in the Ruhr have presented the railwaymen with an ultimatum, which expired yesterday, demanding that they either report themselves as ready to resume work or be expelled.

Viscount Grey, commenting on the Italian-Greek episode, said: – “Recent events have shown us with horrid clearness Europe sliding surely, though it may appear slowly, towards the abyss”.

Colonel Wilfrid Ashley MP has been appointed Under Secretary for War, and Lt-Col Moore-Brabazon MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport.

Attempts by divers to reach those trapped at Redding Pit were unsuccessful.

8 OCTOBER 1923

Gustav Stresemann, the Chancellor of Germany, made a statement in the Reichstag stating that he had been able to appoint a new Cabinet.

Raymond Poincaré, the Prime Minister of France, speaking in Ligny-en-Barrois on the German crisis, said “the essential thing is to attain our ends, and we shall attain them”. Answering a question on the difference of opinion between the French and British on the subject of the Ruhr Valley occupation, he stated that he did not believe that there was any substantial difference.

Divers were sent to Redding Colliery in the hope that they could get food to those still entombed in the mine.

7 OCTOBER 1923

Gustav Stresemann, the German Chancellor, said that it might be necessary to rule without Parliament as the crisis in the country’s politics continued. Stresemann has been able to form a new Cabinet, but it was unclear whether or not it would be stable.

Lord Curzon was criticised in the French press for suggestion that France’s policy in the Ruhr Valley might not be successful.

6 OCTOBER 1923

A Berlin telegram stated that Dr Stresemann, the German Chancellor, had failed to form “a Cabinet of personalities” and that he was trying to revive a Coalition Government which could include the socialists.

Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon Walter Edward Guinness was appointed as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in succession to Sir William Joynson-Hicks, who was appointed as the Minister of Health.

5 OCTOBER 1923

Working parties at Redding Colliery said that they have been able to successfully five men.

Herr Stresemann was making attempts in Germany to form a new Cabinet following the resignation of the previous one.

At a meeting of the National Wages Board for the coal industry, the owners refused the miners’ request for a revision of the National Agreement.

4 OCTOBER 1923

It was confirmed that the entire German cabinet had resigned.

Sir John Simon, speaking in Glasgow, said that he believed the Liberal Party were again on the eve of a great opportunity.

3 OCTOBER 1923

Speaking at the Royal Colonial Institute dinner to the overseas Prime Ministers and representatives of India, the Duke of Connaught said that the unity of the Empire was vital not only to the British Empire itself, but even more so to a distracted Europe.

Hans von Raumer, the German Minister of Economics, resigned and it was reported that the entire Cabinet might also quit.