RHINELAND TROOPS

Evening Star, Issue 19779, 1 February 1928, Page 5

RHINELAND TROOPS

DR STBESEHAHH'S PROTEST FRENCH MISTRUST Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright BERLIN, January JO. “ Are the words and might of England valueless to the Frenchmen who clamor for still greater security? hoes anybody doubt the ability of England and Franco to cope with the Reichswchr or England to keep her pledged word?” asked Dr Stresemann (Minister for Foreign Affairs), He declared that no country outstripped Germany in solving the security problem. It was hypocrisy to demand security against Germany, which could scarcely defend her own frontiers and the lives of her inhabitants. It had been repeatedly declared that cannon and machine guns must -disappear, but they were directed against a nation co-operating with the League, and with which international and political differences were non-existent. English voices more loudly asked why British troops were still in the Rhineland, and .English publicists regarded the continued occupation as a misfortune. Germany would not reject a discussion on the control of the frontier, but would not buy the evacuation of the Rhineland with obligations exceeding those of Versailles, and so perpetuating mistrust and prejudicing an effective peace policy.—A. and N.Z. and ‘Sun’ Cable. BRITISH INTERPRETATION OF SPEECH. LONDON, January JI. Dr Stresemann’s trenchant language has caused a certain amount of surprise (says the ‘ Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent), and it will almost certainly draw a sharp retort from M. Poincare, if not from M. Brinnd. British quarters, however, are inclir*'d to view the speech.as being intended mainly for domestic consumption. Dr Stresemann .was constrained to dwell on ■ the demand for withdrawal of the Allied troops from the Rhineland in order to prevent the Nationalists accusing him of timorousness in pressing the claim.