THE NEUTRAL ZONE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 166, 9 April 1920, Page 7

THE NEUTRAL ZONE

GERMAN EVACUATION EXPECTED CLOSING THE INCIDENT | NECESSITY OF OBSERVING 1 TREATY PROVED (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyriffh-t Paris, April 7. An authoritative source states that there is reason to believe that the Germans will evacuate the neutral zone in a few days, upon which tho French troops will bo withdrawn, thus closing the incident, which will have served the. purpose of proving conclusively to the Germans that the terms, of .the Treaty must be observed.—Renter. (Rec. April 8, 10.5 p.m.) London, April 7. The Australian Press Association learns that the meeting of Ambassadors' was postpone!'until to-day owing to the ab-. senee of Lord Derby, who lias now returned to Paris with authority to declare the British attitude. It is understood that M. Millerand has been kept closely infomied of the British and American official views. No rupture of the Allied unity is likely. At the niQst Britain and America may protest against the French action, but it is recognised that failure to supnort France would be misinterpreted in Germany. It may even be necessary' to make a slight British advance in order to convince the Germans, 'but it Is more probable that the incident will be e'osed in a few days by the withdrawal of the Germans from the neutral zone.. This would he followed promntlv by tho French withdrawal. The whole situation will be reviewed at (he sitting of tho Supreme Council in London to-morrow.— Aus.-N.55.' Cable Assn. OTHER TOWNS OCCUPIED BT FRENCH. London, April 7. Latwt advices from Germanv state that, the French have occunied Offenbach, Tfnmbiirg and TViesbnden.—Ans.-N.SS. Cable Assn. FRENCH TROOPS MARCHING O* ESSEN. (Rec. April 8, 11.10 n.m.) London, April 7. Paris reports that French troops ace marchinf on Essen, which will be occupied to-day.—Aus.-N.'Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH CAVALRY FIRED ON

Paris, Anril 7. Mayence reports state that the onlv incident in connection with the Trench advance was that, a German armoured car fired tiro shells at a cavalry patrol. —Renter. (Rec. April 8, 10.5 p.m.}

London. April 7. The Paris "Matin" s.ivs that advices from Frankfort stnte_ that some German forces while retiring fired jrnns on "French ciivalry. Tt. is believed fhnt the incident was due to some individuals becoming excited. The Commander of the Trench in Frankfort, addressing the notables of the city, said he hoped it would _ not be necessary to use suns or machine-guns. He counted on their influence for the maintenance of peace and securing resnect for his orders—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.