GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 17325, 13 April 1920, Page 4

GERMANY

SITUATION MUCH EASIER

RUHR TROOPS WITHDRAWING,

Press Association-liy Telegraph-Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

_ .„ . , . BERLIN, Apiil 12. . iSemi-ofhcial i The withdrawal of all troops which are no longer needed in the Ruhr region has already begun. The ‘ Lokal Anzeiger’ reports a further French extension of the occupation of Germany. Stockstadt and Babenhausen are already occupied, and French troops are approaching AschafTenburg, marching southward from Darmstadt. . The contrary is reported front Paris. id. Millerand, replying to the German Onarge d’Affaires, denied France’s intention to extend the occupation. The ‘Berlin Lokal Anzeiger* states that the French intend eystematically to extend the occupation zone with a view to separating North from South Germany. The Berlin newspaper ‘Freiheit’ states that General Lnttwltz and Colonel Bischoff are staying at Franzburg plotting another revolution, embracing the whole of Germany. Several regiments, as well as the students corps in various towns, are supporting tho movement. The newspaper adds that the Government are aware of the piot, but do not intervene, and do not execute the warrants for the arrest of Luttwitz and Bischoff for participating in the Kapp revolution. BERLIN. April 11. The belief that a wedge was driven Into the Entente is reflected in the resounding newspaper headings, and htis cheered up all classes. The new attitude is comparable with that when the Allies gave way concerning the surrender of war criminals, only tho elation is now loader and more apparent. A flood of semi-juristic comment oven argues that France has violated the treaties, and is liable to penalties. The Press publish interviews with unnamed Flench officers and others with a view to proving that tho French coup had been planned for a long time. Scraps of_ news are raked in from every quarter with a view to the inflation of what the Germans 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. It is evident, however, that France’s firm action has produced results in the Ruhr district. Tho German authorities are showing great haste in terminating the disturbances. General Yon TVetter’s proclamation that th e Reichs .vehrs’ action was only intended to protect well-intentioned people merely increased the excitemenf" and distrust owing to the sanction given to the troops summarily to punish unnamed persons.

Count Reventlow, in tho ‘Deutsche Tnges Zeitung,’ says that Mr Lloyd George’s unexpected attitude is due to the Americans, and he is making a virtue of necessity in following America.

Dr Dernbnrg, in the ‘ Tagehlatt.’ declares that oven it Article 44 of the Peace Treaty had not been violated France’s .action was a breach of the 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 tho benefit of the Covenant, to which she is bound to submit. Dr Dernburg adds that 'unices France immediately withdraws her- illegal act and renews her acknowledgment of the validity of the Covenant she will have broken ’ the Versailles Treaty. Tho municipality of Essen, including both of tho Soca’Hst parties, have proagainst the French occupation of Frankfort and other towns.

ANGLO-FRENCH FRICTION.

RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING.

LORD DERBY’S GOOD WORK,

LONDON, April 1]

Paris messages report that ’ Britain’s reply to M. Millerand’s Note is conciliatory and frank in tone. Discussions on both sides will be welcomed, assuring an early agreement in detail. ‘Le Matin’ refuses to believe that Air Lloyd George dosiyes to revert to tho policy of isolation fo dear to Britain in tho past. Tho British reply stated that the Allies were unanimously opposed to the French occupation of German towns. The French then decided to act independently, and it is understood that their reply justified independent action. The British believe that tho strength and success of every alliance depend on unanimity of action, and inasmuch as the possibility of independent action appears still to be contemplated. the situation remains to he cleared.

It is understood that, pending tho establishment of a clear understanding in this connection, the British Ambassador is not the meetings of conferences for the concerting of measures regarding Germany, as such measures will ho nugatory so long as one Ally is acting independently of tho rest. PARIS, April 12 The situation k easier, largely owing to Lord Derby’s diplomacy.

France's latest Note to Britain is most conciliatory. It is'now hoped that the incident will be soon closed, especially as it is semi-offlcially reported from Berlin that troops are being withdrawn from the Ruhr district, where they ate no longer needed.

M. Millerand has handed to Lord Derby the French reply to the second British Note, which is believed to be most conc.ilinfbry, and is,expected to achieve happy results.

Poch and Sir Henry Wilson will attend the San. Remo Conference. Mr Lloyd George and Mr Balfour will afterwards go to Rome as the guests of the* Italian Government. MILLER AND’S PLEDGE TO BRITAIN. LONDON, April 13. (Received April 13,-* it noon.) 'file ‘ Evening Standard,’- in an authoritative statement, says that M. Millerand has given a definite pledge that France will henceforward follow the methods of co-operation outlined in Britain’s second Note. Downing Street authorities claim that this pledge vindicates British diplomacy. SAXON SPARTAGISM. LONDON, April 12. The Berlin correspondent of ilie ‘Daily Chronicle ’ states that Hoelz continues his picturesque career, levying tolls upon war profiteers to the extent of from 50,000 . to ICO.GOO marks. A cablegram which was received a few days ago described Hoelz as ilia author of a Bolshevik movement in Saxony. QUAKERS. ‘ LONDON, April 11. The American Society of Friends is making plans to provide daily food for - 100,000 to 150,000 mothers and children in Germany next month. This is assured bv the signature to a contract for 25.000,000 guilders at Tho Hague for the purchase of foodstuffs for Germany. KOENIGSBURG EXPLOSION. BERLIN, April 11. The dump which exploded was situated at Rctenstein, near Kocnigsburg. Thirty explosions occurred. Two hundred wounded have already been rescued. There are many dead, but the number is unknown owing to the danger of approaching the dump. FAMINE CONDITIONS. TUBERCULOSIS RIFE. LONDON, April 11. (Received April 13, at 6.40 a.m.) Tho ‘ Daily Chronicle's Berlin correspondent states that food supplies are wore than in 1919. The prices of imported foods have increased threefold. Tuberculosis among German children has trebled during tho past few months. Statistics compiled by neutrals show that 29,000 out of 475,000 Berlin children are suffering Irom tuberculosis, 77,000 are

suffering from various diseases due to under-feeding, and 100,000 are unfit to receive -instruction owing to under-feed-ing. Figures for 43 large towns show that 200,000 children are suffering from tubflfciulosis and 860,000 are badly underfed.