THE RUHR TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1920, Page 2

THE RUHR TROUBLE.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) AN EXPLANATORY NOTE. ' LONDON, April 11. The British Note replying to the French, reaffirm the determination to enforce the execution of the Treaty in regard to disarmament, reparation and coat supples, in collaboration with the Allies. The note points out that the present disagreement with France in no way concerns the execution of the Treaty, but tbe situation concerning the request of Germany to be allowed to send troops to a neutral zone to restore order. It is well known that British views shared with the Allies, was that the request be granted, subject to guarantees that the neutrality will be restored after tbe time limit expired. The British are prepared to enforce these guarantees. The French, however, contend that the Allies troops should advance and occupy German towns as a condition of the allowance that troops should enter the neutral zone.

THE FRENCH ADVANCE. i BERLIN, April 11., Thef“Lokal Anzieger” reports sv further French extension of the occupation of Germany. Stoekstadt and Bohenhan are already occupied, and French troops are approaching Ascliarrenburg, marching southward from Darmstadt, contrary 0 to reports from Paris that M. Millearnd replying to the German Charge d’Affaires denied France’s intention to extend the occupation.

THE WILY HUN. BERLIN, April 11. Germany’s most cunning minds are concentrating in an attempt to prevent the reduction of the army. The attitude of the liason officers attached to the Allied Military Commission, frankly so that they are playing for time and are contesting at every point with prolific excuses and counter moves, hoping to wear down the Commission or see the Allies disagree.

GERMAN GLOATINGS. BERLIN, April 11. The belief that a wedge was- driven into the Entente is reflected in resounding newspaper headings and has cheered up all classes. The new attitude is comparable to that when the Allies gave way concerning the surrender of war criminals, only the elating is now louder and more apparent. A flood of semi-juristic comment even argues that France violated, the Treaty and is liable to penalties. The press' publishes interviews with an un-named French officer and others, with a view to proving the French coup had been planned for a long time. Scraps of' news are raked in every quarter, with a view to the inflation of .what the Germans undoubtedly regards as a great victory. French authorities Bureau not to exaggerate small incidents in the occupied area and not to spread reports of further advances. Nevertheless it is evident that France’s firm action has produced results in Ridir. The German- authorities show great haste in terminating dsturbances. Vonn Watters /proclamation that the Reichstwehrs action was only intended to proteckthe well intentioned people, merely increased the excitement and distrust, owing to tli sanction given to the troops to summarily punish unnamed persons.

GERMAN MILITARISTS AGAIN. . LONDON, April 11. The Benin newspaper “Frieheit” states that General Luttwitz, Colonel Bischoff and Captains Seaking and Franzburg, who were in the late militarst coup, are now plotting another German revolution, embracing the whole of Germany. There are several regiments as well as student corps, in various towns, already supporting thisniovemeiit.

The “Freiheit” adds:—“The Government is aware of this plot, but it dees not intervene, and does not even execut the warrants issued for the arrest of Luttwitz and Bischoff for participatug the Kapp revolution.

GERMAN COMMENT. BERLIN, April 10. Count Reventiow, in the “Deutsche Tagesleitung” says Mr Lloyd George’s unexpected attitude is due to Americans. He makes a virtue of necessity in following America. Von Dernburg, in the “Tageblatt,” declares that even if Article Forty-four of the Treaty has been violated, France’s action was a breach of law, inasmuch as the League of Nations Covennt is part and parcel of the Treaty, and Germany although outside the League si entitled to claim the benefit of the Covenant to which she is hound to submit. Dernburg adds that unless France immediately withdraws her alleged illegal act, and renews her aeknoweldgement of the Covenant’s validity, she will have broken the Versailles Treaty,

SUSITCIOUS OF FRANCE. BERLIN, April 11. The Lokal Anzeiger” states that the French have now occupied Babenhausen, south of Frankfort, and are about t ooccupy Aschaffeuburg, a few miles eastward of Babenhnusen. The paper declares the French intend systematically to extend the occupation zone with a view of separating the north from the south of Germany.

CONCILIATORY. ■(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, April 12. M. Milleraiul handed Lord Derby the French reply to the second British v.)te, which is believed to he most conciliatory and is expected to achieve happy results.

GETTING TROOPS OUT. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, April 11. Semi official—The withdrawal of all ! troops which are no longer needed in Ruhr region has already begun. SITUATION EASIER, (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, April 12. The situation is easier, largely owing to Lord Derby’s diplomacy. France’s latest Note to Britain is most conciliatory. It is now hoped the incidentwill soon, he closed, especially as it is semi-officially reported from Berlin that the troops are Being withdrawn from Ruhr district, as they are no longer needed.