BRITISH IN COLOGNE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 156, 30 December 1925, Page 6

BRITISH IN COLOGNE

A PEACEFUL OCCUPATION

TRIBUTE TO THE SOLDIERS

GERMAN APPRECIATION.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 21st November

In view of the early evacuation of the British troops from the Rhine it is interesting to indicate some of the phases and characteristics of what even the German authorities themselves admit has been a peaceful occupation, free from incidents of a character to tarnish the British name. Certain rules were laid down for the guidance of the Army of Occupation. They have been faithfully observed, and when the British flag is hauled down, when the last troop train leaves the Cologne Hauptbahnhof, always assuming, of course, that no difficulties are created for the German Government, and that the Locarno Pact is signed, those who have been responsible for the conduct of our soldiers can say that they have accomplished their duty without fear cr reproach. During the period of occupation there has been no laxity on the one hand or undue severity on the other. "The British regime in the Cologne area (writes the special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph") has throughout been marked by a spirit of moderation, the kind of spirit which led up to the Locarno Conference. There were difficult problems to solve, especially at the outset. These were courageously tackled; and though the solutions did not please everybody, they were found in practice to be just. . BRITISH JUSTICE. "Just as praise has been showered I upow the Arbitration Courts for settling labour disputes, so the Germans have had no serious l'eaßon to complain about the justice dispensed to. them by the British Military Courts. On one occasion Dr. Adenauer, the oberburger-meistor of Cologne, declared ..that when the British troops left Cologne a monument would be erected to commemorate the justice motcd out at the trials of German offenders. It is a significant fact that there has been no serious trouble with high German officials. Dr. Schneider, the second highest official in tlte British Zone, was tried before the Summary Court for neglecting his duty, but he was acquitted on all points, and it was generally admitted that lie COttld ttot have had a fairer trial if he had been tried by a Ger* man Court. A DELICATE SITUATION. "The most delicate period of the British occupation began when the French and Belgians entered the Jtuhr. Tie military and civil authorities in the Cologne area had a great responsibility put upon them. They had to do nothing to offend the French and Belgians, and yet at the same, time they had to see to it that their zone was kept free from incidents which were occurring daily in the Ruhr - and in other parts of Rhineland, because of the German policy of passive resistance. Only one official, Dr. von Hailing, president of one of the numerous 'Amta,' was expelled from the British area, and only on one occasion had the -British officials of the Bhinelaitd Commission to intimate to the German authorities that a certain line of action must be given up, otherwise disagreeable decisions might have to be taken up by the Commission, which, after all, is an inter-Al-lied body. It Hays much for the relations, which were invariably correct, between the British and Gerijian authorities that the hint Was taken. The Britiih did not want to be forced to do unpleasant things, and the Germans refrained from accentuating the delicate character of the British situation. "Now and again it was found necessary to suspend the publication of certain newspapers, but this course was only reßorted to when a British rulo was infringed. Wo would not permit dangerous Communist propaganda, and very promptly expelled tho disciples of Moscow who sought to creiito trouble. Altogether something like seven Communists were expelled frorn our ione, ntid tlio only other person expelled appears to have been a Nationalist propagandist. THE COLONISING SPIRIT. „ ''lt is cheering to hear from both sides that tho relations between the occupying force and the population have always been correct. This point is particularly stressed by the German officials. If there has been no attempt to promote social relations between the army and the population; no encouragement of visits, it is because a service order was implicitly obeyed. The billeting arrangements have been satisfactory, and during the recent manoeuvres our soldiers did not give the least trouble. They were deceived cordially everywhere, and were eager to return any little consideration shown to thenv even assisting the housewives to peel potatoes, and, with that colonising spirit inherent in the race, malting tho best of things and showing in many ways their appreciation of their billot3. It is not too much to say that one of the reasons why the British have been successful in the Cologne zone is that this colonising spirit has been practised, v. '" LESSONS IN SPORT. ■ " Undoubtedly the British Army j has left its impress on Cologne..! The. Gei'mads are now very keen football players, but cricket is still a mystery to them. They have got many tips from the British recreation ground. Boxing is a very serious sport for them. They have taken to wearing plus fours even when they go on fishing expeditions, and their women have not hesitated to flatter British women by emulating their style of dress. A valuable lesson has been given to the Germans by our military police, who are universally praised for their quiet behaviour. The calmness with which they control crowds has won widespread admiration. Our police-men have instructed the German police in this business, and. the two bodies work very well together." 80, Pleat #tr«tfr