BRITISH IN COLOGNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19209, 24 December 1925, Page 14

BRITISH IN COLOGNE.

A PEACEFUL OCCUPATION.

TRIBUTE TO THE SOLDIERS. APPRECIATION OF GERMANS. THE COLONISING SPIRIT. [from our own correspondent.] LONDON. Nov. 21. 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.

" The British regime in the Cologne area," writes the special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, "has throughout been marked by/a spirit of moderation, tho kind of spirit which led up to tho Locarno Conference. There wore difficult problems to solve, especially at tho outset, ihese 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 upon the arbitration courts for settling labour disputes, so the Germans have had no serious reason to complain about the justice dispensed to them by the British military courts. .On one occasion Dr. Adenauer, tho oberburger-meister of Cologne, declared that when the British troops left Cologne a monument would be erected to commemorate the justice meted 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 the British zone, was tried before the Summary Court for neglecting his duty, but he was acquitted ori all points, and it was generally admitted that ho could not have had a fairer trial if h£> had been tried by a German Court.

A Delicate Situation. " The most delicate period of the British occupation began when the I' rench and Belgians entered the Ruhr. The 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 Belgiansf 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 'Amts,' was expelled from the British area, and only cn one occasion had the British officials of the Rhineland 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 by the commission, which, after all, is an inter-Allied body. It savs much for the relations, which were invariably correct, between the British and German authorities that the hint was taken. Phe British did not want to be forced to do unpleasant things, and the Germans refrained ficm accentuating the delicate character of tno British situation.

"Now and again it was found necessary to suspend the publication of certain newspapers, but this course was only resorted to when a British rale was infringed. We •would not permit dangerous Communist propaganda, and very promptly expelled the disciples .of Moscow who sought to create trouble. / Altogether, something like seven Communists were expelled from our zone, and the only other person expelled appears to have been a Nationalist propagandist,

One Secret of Success. " It is cheering to hear from both sides that the relations between the occupying force and the population have always been correct. This poirtft is particularly stressed by the German officials. If there has been 110 attempt to promote social relations between the Army and the population, no encouragement of visits, it is becauso a service order was implicitv obeyed. The billeting arrangements have been satisfactory, and during the recent manoeuvres our soldiers did not give the least trouble. They were received cordially everywhere, and were eager to return any little consideration shown to them, even assisting ihe housewives'to peel potatoes, and, with that colonising ■ epirit inherent in the race, Jfaking the best of things and showing in many ways their appreciation of their billets. 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. Lessons in Sport. "Undoubtedly the British Army has left its impress on Cologne. The Germans are now very keen football players, but cricket- is still a mystery to them. They Lave 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 arc universally praised for their quiet behaviour. The calmness with which they control crowds has won widespread admiration. Our policemen have instructed tjie German police in this business, and the two bodies work very well together."