23 AUGUST 1923
The French Government published their response to the British note on war reparations and the occupation of the Ruhr Valley. The French said that they were unlikely to substantially change their view on the occupation of the Ruhr Valley, meaning a substantial split in the Allied view on how to resolve the growing political problems in Europe.
An imposing parade of Irish Free State troops was held in Dublin, to commemorate the death of Michael Collins.
22 AUGUST 1923
The French Government said that they intended to issue their response to the British note on reparations and the Ruhr Valley occupation imminently.
It was reported in the media that there was disappointment in the Irish business community that no mention was made to the economy in the Irish Free State Government’s programme.
21 AUGUST 1923
The Republican party in Ireland put forward 85 candidates for 153 seats.
The tidal wave off the Korean coast killed over 346 people, with an additional 1,000 missing.
20 AUGUST 1923
Austen Chamberlain, speaking at an event in Birmingham on reparations, said that the Entente was hanging on by a thread and warned about the perilious situation.
A disastrous typhoon hit Hong Kong with a heavy loss of life and substantial damage to property.
Nominations for the General Election in Ireland were announced and there were to be contests in all 153 seats with the exception of Dublin University.
18 AUGUST 1923
Serious labour shortages were announced in the Ruhr Valley and a number of police conflicts with communists were reported.
The French reported that they intended to respond to the British note on the Ruhr Valley and reparations within a few days.
There was expected to be a high turnout in the Irish elections.
17 AUGUST 1923
The French position on the British note on war reparations softened and there was a clearer understanding of Britain’s debt recovery claim.
The arrest of Éamon de Valera was expected to strengthen the Free State Government’s position in the Irish elections, although they thought it might lost them some seats in the south-west.
It was announced that there were 1,235,000 people unemployed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a small increase on the previous month.
16 AUGUST 1923
Jan Smuts, the Prime Minister of South Africa, speaking at a Congress of the South African Party, said that all nations great and small needed to rally around Great Britain to avoid a global disaster.
The Belgian Government said that they were still examining the British note on war reparations and the occupation of the Ruhr Valley, but said they were taking it seriously despite the angry French response.
Calvin Coolidge, the new President of the United States, said that he would reject any proposal to cancel or reduce the amount owed by France or any other country to the United States.
Éamon de Valera, the Irish Republican leader, was arrested by Free State troops shortly after commencing an election speech in the market town of Ennis.
15 AUGUST 1923
The by-election result in South Portsmouth was announced with the Unionist party holding onto the seat. Herbert Cayzer, the Unionist candidate, secured 11,884 votes and Henry Merrick Lawson, the Liberal candidate, secured 9,763 votes.
Gustav Stresemann, the new Chancellor in Germany, announced that he was willing for the question of the legality of the French occupation of the Ruhr Valley to be decided by an International Court of Arbitration.
14 AUGUST 1923
The German Government announced that it was ceasing the repayment of all war reparations saying that the country was in plight and its citizens in danger of starvation.
The French Government reacted angrily to the British note stating that their occupation of the Ruhr Valley was illegal.
Sir Charles Monro was appointed as the Governor of Gibraltar.
William Cosgrave, the President of Ireland, unveiled a memorial in Ireland to the two Irish leaders Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins.
13 AUGUST 1923
The Cuno Government in Germany resigned leaving Gustav Stresemann to become the new Chancellor.
The British Government said that the French occupation in the Ruhr Valley was both illegal and also detrimental to peace and trade.
David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, said in a speech in Conway that it would be a a great tragedy if the sacrifices of the Great War had been in vain.