GERMANY WITHIN

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1920, Page 2

GERMANY WITHIN

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) STUDENTS CAUSE TROUBLE. PARIS, April 7. A street procession headed by students ,was responsible for the French troops shooting at Frankfort. SERIOUS CRISIS ALLEGED. LONDON, April 8. A serious crisis is believed to have arisen in Anglo-French relations owing to the British Cabinet having notified its disapproval of France’s advance into the neutral one to keep I the Germans out of it.

WHY LLOYD GEORGE DISAGREES. LONDON, April 9. The London “Times” shows up the Ministry over the Ruhr crisis. It descries tlie ( British Cabinet’s disapproval of France’s action as “the rudest shock to Anglo-French relations that has been .sustained since the establishment of the Entente.” The “Times” says: “It amounts to political a-postacy. It is equally fatal -too Britain’s interests and. her good name.”

The “Times” proceeds: “The scandalous communique from Downing Street outlining the disagreement-, actually adopts Germany’s disingemous version of matters, such as “policing” and “invasion of Ruhr.” “Apparently France’s independent action” adds the “Times”, “has hurt the small personal vanities of the British authorities and has affected party interests.” It is stated in Parliamentary circles that the Premiers opposition to France is attributable to his desire to influence the struggle that is proceeding at the National Liberal Club between his Coalition-Liberal supporters and Mr Asquith’s followers.

FRANCE BRAVES ALL OPPOSITION \ LONDON, April 7. It is learned authoritatively that France acted entirely on her own re. sponsibility in deciding to advance m the neutral zone. Britain, Italy, Belgium and America all opposed such action. , The French military move caused an obviously delicate situation. The Anglo-French Government's are now discussing the matter in the hope of easing the tension.

RETIRING THE TROOPS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, April 8. Quiet has been restored in Frankfort. The authorities pacified the students. MO BERLIN, April 8. The “Vorwaerts” says the Defence Ministed stated if possible, the troops would be withdrawn from Ruhr in two days. FRENCH ACTION. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 8.

Paris newspapers point out that Germany has been latterly expressing a readiness to withdraw' her surplus troops and denouncing tlie French demands for a complete withdrawal. They consider Germany is attempting to trick the Allies to k°PP a ßy t roo P s ‘ n the neutral zone after Saturday, but France does not intend to bold Germany to the strict letter of the protocol, ■ She is willing to arrange a fresh protocol under which Germany would retain sufficient troops for police pui-

poses. The, newspapers frankly express the view that now is France’s chance to exact guarantees from Germany for the bona fide discharge of the treaty obligations. They say the occupation of Frankfort etc., is not the end, but is the beginning of a resolute French policy. The “Petit Parisien” says France assures while constituting a guarantee against the assembling of German troops in Ruhr, also offers a means of compelling Germany to ceftiform strictly to her engagements. “Le Journal” says yesterday’s episode is only the starting point. It would ho unpardonable simplicity not to profit by the crisis, in order to clarify the situation. Now or never is the time to learn if anything may bo expected from the Germans. The present test gives the means of getting what is owing to us and of showing our Allies that we must have something more than the Versailles “scrap of paper.’.’ The newspapers declare that though the Allies may not co-operate in military measures it is unlikely they will disapprove, because they are interested equally with Franco in the enforcement of tlie treaty.

“Be Temps” calls attention to the strategic importance of the occupied towns and quotes Marshal Foch’s standard hook on the conduct of war, in which lie says Germany’s power can bo cut in halves. The main reasonable plan of attacking Germany would be to proceed to Berlin by way of Mayence, because that is the point where the interests of north and south Germany.

GERMAN NATIONAL • ASSEMBLY (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, April 8. The National Assembly is convened for Saturday. Trade unions and Socialist papers submitted to the. Government joint demands for the withdrawal of regular troops from the neutral zone and registration of security police.

CLASH OF ARMS. ZURICH, April 8. Owing to threatening attitude of crowd in Frankfort, Moroccans used machine guns. It is reported that a crowd mobbed the officers and pelted them with stones, but another report received from Berlin denies that the crowds attitude was hostile and says they were merely watching the Moroccan guard. RUHR SETTLEMENT. This Day aff 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. The Australian Press Association learns that there is an increasing likelihood of an amicable settlement of international differences arising out of the Ruhr incident. There is every indication of the Reds rapidly disarming.' To-day’s Supreme Council meeting is postponed, probably in order to await events. It is hoped when the Council assembles ine end will he in sight.