ADVANCE BEGINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1921, Page 5

ADVANCE BEGINS.

TWO TOWNS OCCUPIED, NO RESISTANCE MADE. THE PEOPLE REMAIN CALM. NO DEMONSTRATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Paris, March 8. French, British and Belgian troops occupied Dusseldorf at six o’clock in the morning without incident.—Aus. and NJZ. Cable Assn. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. Paris, March 8. Allied troops entered Duisberg at midday, and an Allied flotilla entered the port at the same time.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, March 8. A proclamation has been issued, signed by the burgomaster of Duisberg, warning the people against any demonstration. It called upon women and children to remain indoors when the troops arrived. Dense crowds thronged the approaches to the bridge between Dusseldorf and Obercassel to watch the arrival of the troops at Dusseldorf. The authorities evacuated the police barracks in order to provide billets for the Allied troops. —Aus. and NIZ. Cable Assn. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 8. The populations of the occupied towns are calm and alert, and are silently watching the trend of events. Two strikingly different proclamations were displayed in Dusseldorf and Duisberg. One was issued from the Wilhelmstrasse on red paper, and signed “Herr Ebert”. It is highly inflammatory, pours invective, and evokes the wrath of Germany against the Allies’ unreasonable reparations. The other is signed by the burgomasters of the towns, warning the populace to be calm. There was no demonstration and no resistance. Women and children were indoors on the arrival of the troops, and the occupation was completed without incident. An unexpectedly early start gave the troops full command of the streets and control points before the inhabitants were astir. The Rhine flotillas were ready, but were not used.— United Service.

THE BRITISH READY. MILITARY LEAVE STOPPED. A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 8. The military authorities have stopped all leave, and have recalled those on lep.ve 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.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. RECALL OF AMBASSADORS. REPORT GENERAL IN LONDON. RELATIONS WILL CONTINUE. Received March 9, 8.10 p.m. London, March 9. Although it is generally understood that the German Ambassadors in London and Paris have been recalled merely for consultative purposes, the Daily News’ Berlin correspondent states that it is a sign of German indignation. It may not amount to a rupture of diplomatic relations, but the German Government considers Ambassadorial relations inconsistent with the new situation, and sub. ordinate officials will perform the requisite functions. The correspondent indicates an undercurrent of German jubilation, due to the belief that Germany has scored, and he adds that the arrogance of the Ludendorffs, Stinneses and Tirpitzes waxes while the Moderates’ and Socialists’ influence is waning. The Chancellor (Dr. Fehrenbach), in a speech in the Reichstag, said the Allies’ sanctions were merely illegal acts of violence, and the Allies only created further embarrassments for themselves.:—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW GERMAN PROPOSALS. ’ . “BEFORE MANY DAYS” ’ HINTS BY THE DELEGATES. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 8. A strong belief exists in London that Germany will soon produce proposals leading to a settlement. This may, however, await the Silesian plebiscite. Herr von Simons energetically spread this idea before his departure, forecasting that negotiations would be reopened before many days. “Perhaps the Conference will not prove barren,” was a typical sentence scattered amongst interviewers. Dr. Dresschler was similarly active, and was full of thanks for British hospitality, declaring that Germany wishes to submit a new proposal to calm opin. ion in England. It appears that the German Cabinet was preparing a proposal for submission to-day, but Mr. Lloyd George had promised M. Briand that the penalties would operate if the thirty year thirty per cent, proposal was not accepted. Otherwise M. Briand’s Cabinet would have fallen, and France would have rejected the scheme. —United Service. A STRATEGICAL POSITION. ESSEN CONTROLLED. Cologne, March 8. As the day broke British and French detachments debouched from the Cologne bridgehead, marched or drove in motor-lorries . along the waterside and aatered Dwneldort irota th» east jagd

south. The bulk of the infantry was French, the British contributing cavalry and tanks. The significance of the occupation of Duisberg and Ruhrort is that the Allied guns are now within range, of Essen. The Belgians placed batteries in position at Obercassel, on the banks of the Rhine, whence Dusseldorf will be under fire in case of resistance. Two French gunboats, also guns, were pointed at the city. None of the 12,000 Americans took part in the advance. The Senegalese troops have been withdrawn and replaced by six regiments of tirailleurs from Tunis and Morocco. General Degoutte has issued a proclamation to the inhabitants promising the workers every facility for continuing their work and ensuring the food plyDusseldorf is 24 miles north of Cologne. Both towns are on the banks of the Rhine, but Dusseldorf is on the east bank and Cologne on the west. In comparatively recent years Dusseldorf has developed great industrial activity, manufacturing machinery and explosives, and carrying on iron foundries, cotton spinning, calico printing and dyeing; also making railway engines and carriages, besides being an important franking centre, Duisberg is in Prussia, on the Ruhr, two miles above its confluence with the Rhine. It is an important port and manufacturing centre. GERMAN DELEGATE’S VIEWS. DEPARTURE FOR BERLIN. London, March 8. One of the German delegates stated that all were sorry the negotiations had broken down, but he believed they would be re-opened in a fortnight. Referring to the he hoped there would be no more fighting, but feared a Communist revolt in the Ruhr district, which was the home of the Communists. There was no fear of Bolshevism getting a hold in Germany. If Silesia were taken from Germany the result would be ruinous. It would be like taking Lancashire from England. The German delegation has returned to Berlin. A large number of German residents in London witnessed their departure. Herr von Simons, in an interview, stated that he was disappointed at the lack of definite results of the mission, but perhaps the London Conference would.'not ultimately prove barren of results. GERMAN PRESIDENT’S PROTEST, ADVANCE CONTRARY TO TREATY. Berlin, March 8. Herr Ebert, President of the German Republic, has issued a proclamation protesting against the Allied advance, which he declares is contrary to the Treaty. Paris, March 8. The Berlin correspondent of the Petit Parisiene states that the question of the Cabinet’s resignation in favor of a coalition will be considered on Wednes-. day.