ALLIED ACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1921, Page 2

ALLIED ACTION

CABLE NEWS.

A PEACEFUL OCCUPATION. ALLIED GUNS COVER ESSEN. THE ADVANCE. QUIETLY EFFECTED. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT. ACSTAALIAN it N.Z. GABLE ABSOCIATIONJ COLOGNE, March 8. As the day broke, British and French detachments debouched from Cologne bridgehead and marched on drove in motor lorries along the waterside, and entered Dusseldorf from the east and south. Th c bulk of the .infantry were French, the British contributing caval:rv and tanks. The significance of file occupation of Duisberg and Ituhrort, is that Allied guns are now within range of Essen. .Belgians have placed batteries in position at Obereastle, on the : banks of the Rhine, whence Dusseldorf j will be under gunfire, in case of resistj mice. Two French gunboats, also have j guns pointed at th e city. None of the twelve thousand Americans partook of j the advance. Sengalese troops have I been withdrawn and replaced by six regiments of Tiralleurs, from Tunis, I Morocco.

General Debutte lias issued a proclamation to the inhabitants promising the workers every facility for continuing work and ensuring the food supply.

RHINE TOWNS OCCUPIED

PEOPLK REMAIN QUIET

LONDON, March 8

The populations of the three German towns to which Allied troops have 'ieen advancing are calm and alert. They are silently watching the trend of events.

Two strikingly different proclamations were displayed in Dusseldorf (whereto British troops were ordered) and Duisburg. One was issued from the Wilhelm Strasse, on red paper, and signed by President Ebert. It is alleged to be highly inflammatory, and as pouring out invective. The German President evokes the wrath of Germany against the Allies for their unreasonably sever e reparations demands on Germany. The other proclamation signed by the Burgomasters of the two towns, warning the populace to be calm. There was no demonstration and no resistance when the Allied troops ar rived. All the women and children were >ndoors on the arrival of the troops. ALLIES PUSHING ON. PARIS, {March 8. Allied troops entered Duisburg at mid-day. An Allied flotilla entered the port at the same time. MILITARY LEAVE STOPPED LONDON, March 8. Military authorities have stopped all leave, as a precautionary' measure, though it is believed the British and French forces at present on the Rhine will suffice for the enforcement of the sanctions. THE ARRIVAL OF TROOPS. BERLIN, March 8. A proclamation has been issued signed by the Burgomaster of Duisburg warning the people against any demonstration. He called upon the women ami children to remain indoors when the troops arrived. Dense crowds thronged the approaches to the bridge between Dusseldorf and Obereassel to watch the arrival of the troops. Dusseldorf authorities evacuated the police barracks in order to provide billets for the Allied troops.

OCCUPATION COMPLETED. March 8. Later news from the Rhine shows that the Allied occupation was computed without incident. An unexpectedly early start with the advance was made, which gav e the troops full command of the streets and the central points .before the inhabitants were astir. The Rhine flotillas were ready, but were not used. LONDON GOSSIP. LONDON, March 8. ' A strong belief exists in London that, Germany "ill soon produce new proposals leading to a settlement. This may, however, await the result of the Silesian plebiscite.

GERMAN DELEGATE’S VIEW. LONDON, March 8. I)r. von. Simons, German .head delegate, while in London energetically spread the idea of new German proposals leading to a settlement, before his departure. He forecasted that the ne gotiations would be reopened before many days. “Perhaps the conference will not prove barren,” was a typical sentence which lie scattered amongst the interviewers. Dr Dresschler, another delegate, was similarly active. He was fully thankful for British hospitality. He declared the German Cabinet were preparing new proposals for submission to-dav, but Air Lloyd George had promiad Premier Briand (France) that the penal ties would operate if the 30-year 'Mper cent, proposal (previously cabled) were not accepted. Otherwise, said 'tie German delegate, the Briand’s Cabinet would have (alien, and France wouid have rejected the scheme.

GERMANS JUBILANT. LONDON, March 8. The Berlin correspondent of the London “Daily News” indicates that there is an under current of German jubiliation This is due to th e belief that Germany scored. •» He adds:-—The arrogance' of the Ludendorffs, Stinneses, and Tirpitzes waxes more and more, while th 0 moderates and socialists’ influence is waning.