FRANCE TO WITHDRAW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17444, 14 April 1920, Page 7

FRANCE TO WITHDRAW.

AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN PASSING OF THE CRISIS. •ALLIED UNITY MAINTAINED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 12.30 a.m.) Times. LONDON, April 13. The Anglo-French crisis is settled. M- Millerand informed Lord Derby, British Ambassador at Paris, after the .Ambassadors' Conference, that as Germany had requested the Supreme Council to grant a postponement of the evacuation of the neutral zone, France would not consider the German occupation a breach of the treaty for the time being and would order the withdrawal of French troops from Frankfort and other towns as soon as the excess of German troops is withdrawn from the Ruhr region. It is understood that the whole question" of policy regarding the neutral zone will be discussed at San Rem<x The French press is gratified that the misunderstanding has been overcome, but the Temps gloomily asserts that militarists are intriguing throughout Germany, -with the connivance of the Berlin Government. (Received .12.5 ajn.) A., and N.Z. LONDON, April 12. The Australian Press Association understands that the Anglo-French incident is practically closed. M. Millerand, in a further Note, recognises the urgency of maintaining the solidarity of the Allies. He agrees that France should have secured allied approval before advancing. A TLEDGE FROM FRANCE. CO-OPERATION IN FUTURE. I (Received 5.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z.—Router. TARIS, April 12. French newspapers stress the friendly tone displayed in the Notes exchanged between France and England M. Briand, addressing his constituents, advocated the necessity of France reassuming the balance ■of * power in European affairs. New nations in Europe were turning towards France. The Evening Standard in an authoritative statement, says that M. Millerand has given a definite pledge that France henceforth will follow the methods of co-opera-tion outlined in Britain's second Note. The Downing Street authorities claim ■. that the pledge vindicates British diplomacy. A semi-official message from Berlin announces that the withdrawal of all the German troops which are no longer needed in the Ruhr region has already begun. QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. DISCUSSION DEPRECATED. (Received ".30 p.m.) Press Association. LONDON, April 12. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law was bombarded with questions respecting the Anglo-French situation. Viscount Curzon (Coalition Unionist) asked whether Lord Derby, British Ambassador at Paris, attended the conference of ambassadors at Paris. Mr. Bonar Law asked that the question be postponed for a couple of days, as this particular ; point- was not discussed. Colonel Claude Lowther (Coalition j Unionist) asked whether the German ; army, including the Reichswehr. militia, ; and* police, numbered 2.000,000. Mr. Bonar Law said be did not think there was the shadow of foundation for such a suggestion. Mr. Bonar Law. reply' to Mr. J. C. Wedgwood (Liberal), stated that the Government's information was that the "Reichs- ' wehr would be shortly withdrawn from the Essen district, but he was not aware whether the troops had actually withdrawn. Lieut.-Commander J. M. Kenworthy (Liberal), asked whether Britain was taking steps to insist on the withdrawal of the German troops from the neutral zone. In a general reply. Mr. Bonar Law said that a difference which the Government greatly deplored, had arisen between the British and French Governments, but an exchange of Notes justified the bel : that both governments recognised more than ever the necessity of maintaining an intimate and cordial" agreement in the settlement of great questions now confronting them in Germany and elsewhere. The approaching conference between the heads of the Allied Governments would no doubt serve to confirm and consolidate a complete understanding between the two governments, therefore discussion was not desirable. ~„,., Mr. Bonar Law added that there was no truth whatever in the statement by sections of the press that there had been I anv difference of opinion in the British Cabinet with regard to the matter. He deprecated discussion of isolated parts of the object, because the matter affected not merelv Britain, but her Allies. It was possible that developments would make a discussion advisable, but he hoped not. If they did, the Government would be quite readv to give an opportunity for discussion. ' The House must realise that any statement in the Commons, especially bv a member of the Government, apparently justifying our attitude might have the appearance of criticising the attitude of the. Allies, and also might convey to the German Government the idea that there was not a complete agreement among the Allies regarding the importance; of the treaty. , After Mr. Bonar Law s statement tne subject was dropped. GERMANY'S PROTEST. LEAGUE COVENANT QUOTED. (Received 12.30 a.m. Pre*> Association. LONDON. Apr:! 13. Addressing the National Assembly in , Berlin today, the Chancellor, Herr Mailer, protesting against the * rem ; occupa lion of Frankfort, accused France of braking the Versailles treaty and dis- . crediting the League of Nations. He ; declared that the occupation was under , taken without the sanction of the other sit-natories and was without justification ; fn fe It tmt-and in direct contravention in S. treaty of December 8 1919. which of the protocol of Uecemoer u, j. , declared that post-war breaches of the treat-, should only be punishable in accordance with the prescriptions of inter-| national law or the terms of the treaty. 'lie treatv did not entitle individual signawi-, to invade Germany, while the 1 ,-a—. .f Nations covenant contends that li'.Hiii'.iie'- 'are not allowable against a count.-v that is not a member of the L««rue of Nations without prior appeal to the' League Council- Herr Mailer d.s.■rfdiitfd the idea that the strength of the Knt-nte was declining. The trench oocu. patio,, had stirred up the nationalistic in,.-- (rivinj a fresh impetus to miiitary, M Germany. Germany was negotiator; with the Entente Powers with a view to s.-.-uriiig a prolongation until July 10 of tl.. agreement permitting the retention of German troops in the neutral zone.