ENTENTE BREACH

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1920, Page 5

ENTENTE BREACH

THE SITUATION EASIER. ' THE INCIDENT CLOSING. Received April 13,12.25 a.m. Bj X«leßr»pb—Prao Asm.—CowrrWit. Paris, April 1?. The situation is easier, largely owing to Lord Derby's diplomacy. France's latest .Note to Britain is most conciliatory, and it is now hoped the incident will soon be closed, especially as it is flemi-officially reported from Berlin that the troops are being withdrawn from the Ruhr district as they are no longer needed.—Aus.-NZ. Cable Asss. Received April 13,12 45 a.m. Paris, April 12. M. Millerand handed Lord Derby the French reply to the second British Note, which ia believed to be most conciliatory and will achieve happy results.—Reutcr Service. Received April 13, 12.45 a.m. Berlin, April 12. Semi-official: The withdrawal of all troops which are no longer needed in the Ruhr regicm has already begun.—Reuter Service.

HEW BRITISH NOTE. TBEATY TO BE ENFORCED. INDEPENDENT ACTION OPPOSED. London, April 10. The Sunday Times says that after a hurried meeting of Cabinet a new Note Mi dispatched to France less harsh in tone. Paris, April 11. The Press forecasts an early settlement of the Anglo-French differences, largely as the result of Lord Derhy's friendly services. The Matin states that the German newspapers are eagerly watching and hoping the Entente will break up- The Vossische Zeitung and Vorwaerts even discuss possible Franco-German cooperation. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. London, April 11. The British, replying to the French, reaffirm their determination to enforce th« execution of the Treaty in regard to disarmament, reparation and coal supplies 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 in regard to the situation concerning the request that Germany should be allowed to send troops into a neutral eohe to restore order, it is well-known that the British view, shared with the Allies, was that the request should be granted subject to guarantees that neutrality would be restored after the time limit'expired- The British are prepared to enforce these guarantees. The French, however, contend the Allies' troops should 'advance and occupy German towns as a condition of the allowance that German troops should enter the neutral zone. The reply stated the Allies unanimously opposed the French occupation of German towns. The French then decided to act independently, and it is understood their reply justified their independent action. The British believe the strength and success of every alliance depends on unanimity of action, inasmuch as vhe possibility of independent action appears still to be con-, templated.. The situation remains to be cleared, and it is understood that pending the establishment of a clear understanding jh this connection the British Ambassador: is not attending meetings of the Conference for concerting measures regarding Germany, as mich measures are nugatory so long as one Ally in acting independently of the rest.—lmperial Service.

THE FRENCH VIEW. ifIBIOUS VIOLATION OF TREATY. * fIERMANY'S ACTION UNNECESSARY. Paris, April 10. A. Millerand, interviewed, said:— "France's position is absolutely simple. We are in tl;9 presence of a series of German -violations of the Treaty, the la/rt of which affects precisely those articles of the Treaty which were covered by the Anglo-Franco-American agreement under which England and America were to come to our assistance. Our information was absolutely clear and authoritative that sending troops into the Ruhr district was not necessary in the interest of German public order. They are being sent simply because of the infraction of the Treaty. We are living nest door to Germany. Belgium has taken in identical position with France because she is in the game dangerous position."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, April 10. M. Millerand's reply to the British Note lays stress on i"» 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 the least affect France's desire to be loyal to the Allies. There can be so question of the evacuation of Frankfort till Germany recognises the condition* of which she was informed on several occasions. The French Government eagerly deshea to commence conversations with Great Britain immediately respecting the general execution of the Peace Treaty by Germany. Germany has addressed a Note to France pointing out that a number of Germans have been killed and wounded in the newly-occupied territory. 'J he Note adds that Germany hold! France responsible for all damage suffer* 1 The Daily Express' Paris correspondent states that tlie French reply to the British protect will take the form of an urgent requrst that Britain shall reconsider and modify her attitude, maintaining France's right to take direct action. . German newspapers are jubilant over tne Anglo-French misunderstandings.

GERMANY'S CUNNING. REDUCTION 01? ARMY RESENTED. FRUSTRATING THE ALLIES' PLANS. Received April 12, 5.5 p.mBerlin, April 11. Germany's most cunning minds are concentrating in an attempt to prevent a reduction of the army. The attitude of the iiason officers attached to the Allied military commission frankly means: "We naturally decline to assist you if we get the slightest chance." They are playing for time, and are contesting every point with prolific excuses and counter-moves, hoping to wear down the commission or see the Allies disagree.—Times Service.

' OPINION IN GERMANY. BREACH BY FRANCE CLAIMED. Received April 12, 9.40 p.m. Berlin, April 10. Count Rcventlow, in the Deutsche Tages Zeitung, saya Mr. Lloyd George's unexpected attitude is due to America, and makes it a virtue of necessity in following America. Herr Dernburg, in the Tageblatt, declares that even if Article 44 has been violated France's action was a breach of law, inasmuch as the League of Nations Covenant is part and parcel of the Treaty, and Germany, although outside the League, is entitled to claim the benefit of the Covenant to which she is bound to submit. Herr Dernburg adds that unless France immediately withdraws her Illegal act. and renews her acknowledgment of the Covenant's validity, she will have broken the Versailles Treaty. The municipality of Essen, including both Socialist Parties, protested against the French occupation of Frankfort and other towns.—Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn. EARLY AGREEMENT PROMISED. CAPITALISTS' INFLUENCE SUGGESTED. Received April 12, 0.10 p.m. London, April 11. Paris messages report that Britain's reply to M. Millerand's Note is conciliatory and frank in tone. Discussions on both' sides are welcomed, assuring an early agreement in detail. The Matin refuses tq believe that Mr. Lloyd George desires to revert to the policy of isolation so dear to Britain in the past, and suggests that the responsibility for what occurred falls largely on British capitalists, who are interested in the Ruhr district and supported the German financiers' demand that the Reichswehr should be sent against the workers here.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asn-

THE FRENCH ADVANCE. MORE TOWNS OCCUPIED. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, April 11. The Lokal Anzeiger reports a further French extension of the occupation of Germany. Stockstadt and Bahenhauaen are already occupied, and French troops are 'approaching Askhaffenburg, marching southward from Darmstadt, contrary to the report from Tans that M. Milierand, replying to the German Charge d'Affaires, denied France's intention to extend her occupation.—Reuter Service. Received April 12, It.lO p.m. London, April 11. The Berlin Lokal Anzeiger states the French have occupied Babenhausen, south of Frankfort, and are about to occupy Aschaffenburg. a few miles eastward of Baberhausen. The paper declares the French intend gystematically to extend the occupation tone with a view of separating North from South Germany.—Aus.-N-Z. Cablo A.san

ELATION IN GERMANYDIVISION OF ENTENTE HOPED FOR. Received April 12, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, April 11The belief that a wedge was driven into the Entente is reflected in resounding nowspaper headings, and has cheered up all classes. The new attitude is comparable to that aroused when the Allies gave way concerning the surrender of war criminals, only the elation is now louder and more apparent. A flood of semi-juristic comment even argues that France has violated the Treaty, and is liable to penalties. The Press publishes interviews with unnamed French officers and others with a view to proving that the French coup had been planned a long time. Scraps of news are raked in every quarter with a view to inflating what the Germans j undoubtedly regard as a great victory. The French authorities have warned the Wolff Bureau not to exaggerate small incidents in the occupied area, and; not to spread reports of further advances. Nevertheless, it is evident France's firm action has produced results in the Ruhr, and the German authorities show great haste in terminating disturbances. General yon Walter's proclamation that the Reichswehr's action was only intended to protect wellintentioned people, merely increased the excitement and distrust, owing to the sanction given to the troops to summarily punish unnamed persons.—Times Service.