NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 17 January 1923

17 JANUARY 1923

The French military continued to advance in the Ruhr region of Germany, occupying the city of Dortmund. The attack had been ordered by the French Prime Minister Raymond Poincaré who claimed that Germany were breaching the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

There was alarm in Berlin following the discovery of a Fascist plot in Munich and South Bavaria to launch a coup against the elected Government. There was a fear that Adolf Hitler, the leader of the fascists, was taking advantage of the German difficulties in the Ruhr and that was needed was calm to deal with the challenge from the French.

It was reported in the press that Elizabeth Bowe-Lyons and the Duke of York were rumoured to be planning to get engaged.

Polling was taking place in the Newcastle East by-election.