A QUIET ADVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1920, Page 5

A QUIET ADVANCE.

MOVE SURPRISES THE PEOPLE. CHANGE MADE AT NIGHT. Received April S, 12.10 a.m. London, April 0. Tt is asserted in diplomatic circles that Britain, as recently as Monday, reiterated the opinion to France that precipitate action should not be taken. Therefore the French advance surprised the Government, and has resulted in an extremely delicate, if not serious, situation among the Allies. Mr. Lloyd George is curtailing his holiday in Wales, and is returning to London to-morow.

A Paris message states the occupation of the towns was carried out without a hitch. The French troops found the districts empty of the Reiehswehr, who retired ten miles eastward of the towns a few hours before the French arrived. Tile French advance guards, composed of half dozen tanks and Moorish troops, headed by General De Susbielle, found Frankfort was in pitcli darkness and the populace asleep. General De Susbielle met railwayman going home, who were surprised, but not disturbed. One said. ''You want to go to the railway station; right, I'll show you the way." Half an hour later the troops occupied the station, the post, office, and other Government buildings, and General De Susbielle was interviewing the Prefect of Police at his headquarters in the Carlton Hotel. A hundred police volunteers who remained in the town were quickly disarmed. When the citizens awoke they were astonished to find the city in the hands of the French, but they took matters calmly. General Degoutte's proclamation stipulated that no strikes would be permitted, and no one would be allowed out of doors between nine in the evening and five in the morning. The publication of the newspapers was suspended, and all arms had to be given up Within six hours.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A SERIOUS MENACE. BRITISH VIEW OF THE SITUATION. Received April 7, 3.5 p.m. London, March 0. The French occupation of Frankfort and Darmstadt is regarded with apprehension in the highest British circles. A leading British diplomat states France's action will probably crystalisp the warring element? in Germany and create the most serious menace to France since the Armistice. Lord Derby (British Ambassador to France) conferred with Lord Curzon, and has left for Paris.—United Service. ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. FRANCE'S ACTION OPPOSED. Received April 7, 2.35 p.m. Washington, April 6. The State Department has denied that a formal protest was sent as a result of F-ench troops advancing into Germany. Unofficial exchanges of opinion, however, have occurred, and the United States is in line with the British and Italian attitude. M. Millerand asked President Wilson for an official expression of the American position.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.