RUHR INCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1920, Page 5

RUHR INCIDENT.

WHY ACTION WAS TAKEN. ENTENTE NOT IMPERILLED

Pj Teltgraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received April 14, 8.40 p.m. 1 Paris, April 13. In the Chamber, M. Millerand made a statement on the Franco-British situation. He quoted Articles forty-two and forty - four of the Treaty, and* said the Allies attached great importance thereto for the security of France, He recalled the fact that Germany, through her military circles, was responsible for 'the coup d'etat, yet Germany requested 'the derogation of the Peace Treaty, despite the fact that she had not executed any essential provisions of the Treaty. Therefore he telegraphed to London on March 10, expressing the opinion that the Allies would commit a gravj, and perhaps irreparable, mistake if they did not forearm themselves against a very evident danger by firmly opposing the entry of Germans into the Ruhr, as the Government's view was that the possession of certain guarantees that the Treaty would not be violated was necessary. M. Millera.id paid an eloquent tribute | to Belgium's action as increasing the affection and admiration of France for the Belgian people. He dismissed the question of an Anglo-French misunderstanding in a few phrases, declaring that after a loyal exchange of views the Cabinets in London and Paris both agreed that if there was a divergence of opinion respecting the best means of assuring the execution of the Treaty, both mußt recognise more than ever the necessity of maintaining their intimate, and cordial agreement for the settlement of the grave questions' still confronting them in Germany and throughuot the world.—lmperial Service.

COMPLETE UNITY. NECESSITY FOR STRONG ENTENTE. Received April 14, 9.10 p.m. Paris, April 13. M. Millerand, interviewed after his speech in the Chamber, again emphasised the fact that the recent minor divergence of viewa in no wise affected the deeprooted Anglo-French friendship. He poited out that the French living on the left bank of the Rhine knew Germany intimately. He stressed the importance of a real Entente, especially at present, with a view of assuring the full execution of the Treaty of Versailles, and of solving a number of overseas problems. France was ready to help Germany, but the latter must show a rea.l willingness to carry out the Treaty. Hitherto she had done little respecting disarmament, the delivery of war criminals, coal, the surrender of guns, etc. Moreover, the militarist spirit still exists in Germany. M. Millerand concluded: "The question of the occupation of German towns is finally settled between the British and the French, and no bad feeling remains. Lord Derby is resuming his seat at the Ambassadorial Conference, and unity is as complete as ever it was."—lmperial Service.

GERMANS DISARMED. ACTION BY FRENCH TROOPS. Received April 15, 1.5 a.m. Berlin, April 13. Semi-official: French troops have occupied the Hanau district and removed the police, seized fifty horses, and all the arms and equipment of the civic guard and the police.—United Service.

KNALLY CLOSED. INCIDENT WILL STRENGTHEN ENTENTE. London, April 12. It is understood that the Anglo-French situation 'has finally closed, and that no question of honor has 'been sacrificed by either side. Diplomatists consider that the incident, though unfortunate, will actually have the effect of strengthening the Allmnc \ The exchange of Notes has ended, and Prance has repeated her undertaking to evacuate German itowna when the Germans Tdduce their troops to the required minimum of 17,000. France also agrees unreservedly henceforth to act unitedly with the Allies, avoiding independent action.

Nothing further can occur, and the incident will be happily ended by a personal conversation between Mr. Lloyd George and M. Milterand at San Remo. —Aua.-N.Z. Cable Asisn.