SAAR REFUGEES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 January 1935, Page 7

SAAR REFUGEES

Thousands Apply Daily to the French Consul

MANY WITHOUT MONEY PROBLEM OP SETTLEMENT (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright..) Received 11 a.m. to-day. PARIS, Jan. 17. Thousands are applying daily to the French Consul at Saarbrucken for visas. Many without money must be provided for. The Figaro says they must he regarded as citizens of tlie League of Nations and the money spent oh them to be regarded as an advance by France to the League, which should be responsible for their final destination. Possibly a strip of territory in one of the French colonies will be allotted to the refugees. 'The postponement of the League’s decision regarding the Saar is due partly to Germany’s demand that the announcement of the date of reunion with Germany should he made- simultaneously with the proclamation of ih c transfer, and partly to France’s raising of the question of demilitarisation. Tlie Treaty of Versailles provides that no troops must be stationed in German territory on tlie left bank of the Rhine. France further claims that strategic railways facilities for the dispatching of troop trains cannot be allowed. Baron Aloisi’s Committee of Three has agreed to all the details, and only filial acceptance from Berlin is needed, states the Daily Mail’s Geneva correspondent. “This, it is believed, is forthcoming, as the whole solution has been worked out on the lines piovidod by German experts. There is no difference of opinion between France ana Germany on demilitarisation.” A Customs frontier has erected between France and the Saar as from to-day, says a Paris message. A later message says an agreement was reached at Geneva this evening between the French and German representatives and Baron Aloisi s committee of three upon, various arrangements bound up with the transfer of the Saar territory, thus enabling the committee to submit a report for adoption by the League Council. This, it is understood, provides for a re-union with Germany of the entire Saar territory, whereupon all results which flow from the Treaty of Versailles, including the incorporation of the Saar in tlie demilitarised zone, .shall take effect. The date of the transfer will he March 1. A commission composed of representatives of France and Germany and the Saar governing commission will deal with (ill measmes in connection with the transfer and will report bv February 15. If a final agreement has not been reached Baron Aloisi’s committee will submit a report to the League Council which, if necessary, would hold a special session. In regard to the demilitarisation of the territory, the little that requires to be done is left in the hands of the governing commission.