FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1919, Page 5

FRANCE.

SECURITY FROM GERMAN AGGRESSION. MARSHAL FOCH'S SCHEME. QUESTION OF AMERICAN TROOPS. Received Feb. 15, 1.35 a.m. Paris, Feb. 13. Marshal Foch recently propounded a scheme to secure France against sudden German aggression. He desires that the Rhine slioulldl become Germany's military frontier. France has no desire to control the territory lying between the Rhine and the political frontier, beyond securing that it contains no forts, munition works and military establishments; also that conscription should not be applied within the area. France's insistent desire for complete security is also found in her latest endeavor to secure an amendment of the League of Nations draft. It is this which, it ia believed, caused the delay in the presentation of the scheme to the plenary conference. France wants some sort of international organisation with full power to call out a great international force to cheek and punish any sudden aggression, but of an inelastic constitution. The United States caused delay, as the Americans could not give an off-hand approval, though willing to bring the facts immediately before congress in the event of an aggression, and to ask Congress whether armed forces of the Republic should be employed. The Drafting Committee is endeavoring to devise a clause covering French desires and American reservations. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.