THE ARMISTICE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 8

THE ARMISTICE.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION

I (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) I (Australian and X.Z. Cable I IHARIS,1 H ARIS, January 23. It is understood that Marshal Foch's | statement indicated a lack of co-ordina-tion in the Allies' measures regarding demobilisation, and he made it clear that tlio pledges obtained by force from ■ I Germany would '>'• kept only long J there was adequate military pressure. Consequently, it wus agreed that- there ! should be an agreement Vetween Engj land, France, America, Belgium, and j Italy regarding the number of troops ! to be maintained in occupied Germany. I | PAY OF THE FORCE. | (Router's Telegrams.) j LONDON January 26. i The Press Bureau states that conse- ! quent on the discussion of tho past ten l days, in London, between Ministers and j various departments on the question of tho proper maintenance of the armies of j occupation and other matters connected I with the strength and welfare of the ! British Army, the Prime Minister c-on-J vened a conference at Paris, at which ; Mr Winston Churchill, Sir l£ric Geddes, j Sir Douglas Haig, and General Sir ! Henry Wilson were present. Far-reach- ' ing conclusions wore reached, which will j tie brought before Cabinet early this j week, and an announcement covering tho general j vol icy will be made later. Tho Government's intention is to immediately and substantially advance tho pay of tho armies of occupation, and give good facilities for leave. It is stated m reference to tho official announcement regarding the armies of occupation, that 30,000 men are now demobilising daily, as compared with 8000 a fortnight ago, while the rato of demobilisation will shortly bo 40,000 daily. Obviously, if this process conj tin:ies, in two months wo should be I lel£ without an organised body of disciplined troops in any part of tho world in which we are invoked. To build uo tho old voluntary army would take at [ least the greater part of 1919, and before any volume of volunteering can bo expected it is necessary that the rates of gay should bo made attractive, and-that largo numbex*s of ■ soldiers should have been released from the army, and should havo been able to exercise a free choice regarding reenlistment. ■ We are thus confronted with tho certainty of an utter gap between the great compulsory armies which won the war, and the comparatively small long-servico professional lorce« which are required to garrison the British Lmpire. The forthcoming proposals are intended to provide for this intervening period- They ensure that wo have m every war theatre sufficient forces .luring 1510 to see that we are not robbed of th© fruits of Victory, _and that Iho Germans, with their confederates arc made to execute faithtully and punctually tho conditions of the armistice .„i}d tho Peace Treatv. Uiey will also enable us to discharge our duties towards "bur Allies and those depending on us. DOMINIONS' WAR. LOSSES. (Australian and Jv.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 28th. 8.15 p.m.) PARIS, January 25. Tho Premiers of the British Dominions gavo tho Supremo War Council detailed accounts of the war losses and privations suffered by their countries. The information produced a, deep impression. especially on M. Clemonceau and M. Piclion. 1