THE FRENCH REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1920, Page 2

THE FRENCH REPLY

A STRONG ANSWER

(Imperial News Service),

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 10

The French reply to the British Note affirms the unquestionable loyalty of France’s atitude. Government constantly informed the Allies of its policy. The reply says the polipy of tho French Government was always opposed to the entry of supplementary German troops into Ruhr j which the only permissable condition was the military occupation of Frankfort and Darmstadt. They notified the Allies on 3rd April, that Marshal Foch was studying unavoidable military reply points out that the sole present question is the violation of one of the most solemn causes in the Treaty. The German Government itself recognises the necessity of obtaining beforehand forward authorisation for the breach of Article 43 and tho right of the Freuch Government to demand a territorial guarantee in exchange for the breach. The reply asks how the French Government could be satisfied with the German promise to withdraw the Reicliswelir immediately order was restored, seeing that the Allies had not received the satisfaction stipulated in the Treaty for the reparation of war damage, the surrender of war criminals, delivery of coal and disarmament of the army. It asks whether the British Government had calculated and the whole danger of these successive, systematic violations, and asks when Britain thinks it ought to stop in granting concessions. It declares France is compelled §ay “enough,” but she asks nothing better than that she can say so with all her Allies. The French Government is not less convinced than the British of the essential necessity of maintaining Allied unity for the enforcement of the German Treaty ,and considers this intimate consent of France and Britain js also indispensable for equitably settling the vast problems now confronting the world in Russia, Balkans, Asia Minor and throughout the whole of Islam. The reply concludes by assuring that the French Government for all these considerations, is entirely disposed to make sure before acting, of the general assent in all inter-Al|ied questions ipvo(v«i the execution of thp Treaty.

french attitude

(Reeeived this day at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, April 12. M. Millerand interviewed, said France’s position is absolutely simple. We were in the presence of serious German violations of tlic Treaty, the last of which affects- precisely those articles of the Treaty which were covered by the Anglo-Fraiieo American agreement, under which England anil Ampripa coine to our assistance. Our information w f} B absolutely clear and authoritative, that the sending of troops into Ruhr was not necessary in the interests o Germany and public order. They were being sent- simply because of an infraction of the Treaty. We are living next door to Germany. Belgium has taken up an identical position with France, because she is in the same dangerous position.

A FIRM REPLY(Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 10. M. Millerand’s reply to the British Note lays stress on the fact that the occupation of Frankfort, was an exceptional action, due entirely to Germany’s continued violation of- the Peace Treaty. It does not in tlie least affect France’s desire to he loyal to the Allies. There can he no question of the evacuation of Frankfort, till Germany recognises the conditions of which she was informed on several occasions. The French Government ea-«»erlv desires to commence conversations with Great Britain immediately respecting the general execution of the reace Treaty by Germany.